Toronto Zoo workers on strike
Posted May 11, 2017 04:41:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Zoo is now closed to the public because of a strike
More than 400 employees represented by CUPE Local 1600 walked off the job at midnight to back their contract demands.
The local president, Christine McKenzie, says they are “incredibly disappointed to have to go on strike, but the zoo’s refusal to move on job security left them with no choice.
But zoo spokeswoman Jennifer Tracey says the facility has been more than fair and reasonable and its latest offer includes a wage increase and “satisfactorily address the issues of job security.”
Tracey says the union demands are “simply unaffordable and do not reflect the financial realities facing the zoo.”
The union says picket lines will go up at the zoo’s entrances and workers are being asked to show up and report for picket duty.
Tracey says the zoo’s animals will be taken care by management staff during the strike.
