The Toronto Hydro Local voted 98% in favour of a strike mandate for its bargaining committee on Wednesday evening.
Following months of talks with management, Toronto Hydro refuses to take two major concessions off the table. Management is insisting that members must sell out new hires’ post-retirement benefits and parental and family leave rights.
“This is the first time our local has ever taken a strike vote,” said Toronto Hydro Local Vice President Henry Quach. “That just shows you how unreasonable management is being right now.”
“The Society has a proud history of protecting the rights of the next generation of professionals. Just like Hydro One in 2005, we’re prepared to do what we have to do to make sure we don’t let young workers down.”
While there is still time to get a deal without job action, the Toronto Hydro Local is ramping up its level of preparedness. Following the strike vote, members wore blue Society shirts as a demonstration of solidarity and an information picket is planned outside Toronto Hydro workplaces on April 21 from 7-9AM.
“Our sisters and brothers across The Society and at CUPE Local 1, which represents the largest group of Toronto Hydro workers, have told us that they will support us,” said Quach. “That gives every Toronto Hydro Local member the confidence that we will win.”
Anyone interested in supporting the Toronto Hydro Local at the April 21 (7-9AM) information picket is invited to attend a training and preparation workshop at The Society’s office from 6-7PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.
