Strike leads to new deal between city and union following transit disruptions in Brampton

New agreements have been signed between the city and a union representing around 1,200 municipal workers after a strike that caused significant delays on Brampton Transit.

The city says the new three-year collective agreements with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 831 have officially been signed and ratified on Wednesday, a little more than a week after the strike was called off.

The new deals include three renewal agreements and the union’s first collective agreement for Brampton Transit Supervisor, Service Delivery workers.

The details of the agreements aren’t being made public, however, the union was looking for pay increases of between 4.5 to 6 per cent over five years while the city had offered 3 per cent.

Union members including some Brampton Transit workers went on strike on Nov. 12 after negotiations with the city broke down.

The strike lasted nearly a week with members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1573, which includes transit operators, joined picket lines leading to what the city called “significant” transit delays and disruptions across the city.

“From the beginning, we have said that this strike was about fairness for our members and reaching a deal that is comparable to what others who work at the City of Brampton have received and we have been able to reach an agreement that achieves that,” CUPE 831 President Fabio Gazzola said last week when a tentative deal was reached.

“This agreement will help our members deal with the increased cost of living they’re facing and recognizes the work that they do.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the city’s bargaining teams “worked with remarkable collaboration and commitment” to make offers “that reflect our dedication to supporting our staff.”

“These three-year agreements establish a solid foundation for labour stability as we continue to prioritize people and excellence in service delivery,” the mayor said in a statement.

Brown told INsauga.com that the city offered CUPE 831 an “identical” deal to one accepted by its members in Mississauga just this summer. That deal included a 3 per cent raise.

CUPE 831 said comparing its Brampton workers to those in Mississauga wasn’t fair as that city has around 250 employees under the union compared to the approximately 1,200 in Brampton.