Ontario OKs bill banning TTC strike

Ontario’s legislature Wednesday, in a 68-9 vote, passed a law banning Toronto Transit Commission workers from striking, declaring TTC to be an essential service. The move came even as the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113’s contract with TTC ends Thursday at midnight.

Talks between labor and the TTC are ongoing.

The city of Toronto seeks the strike ban because it says previous job actions have cost its economy C$50 million daily, as well as inconveniencing 1.5 million daily TTC riders on subways, light rail, and buses.

"This is about the million and a half people and riders that depend on the TTC. Toronto is unique in its size and its scope and it’s the third-largest transportation system in North America. Many people rely on the TTC," Labour Minister Charles Sousa said. "We value the very men and women of TTC who are doing the job and this speaks to how vitally important their work is."

Transit workers are still allowed to perform other job action, like work to rule, which labor leaders warn could drag on for longer periods due to the newly passed legislation.