On March 6, a frigid day in Toronto, CUPE 79 workers gathered outside the Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, alongside community supporters, to make their demands heard as they head toward their strike deadline. The practice picket was a clear and powerful call to action: city workers deserve a fair contract, and they deserve to survive in the city they serve.
As the cost of living skyrockets in Toronto, the services provided by these workers are more vital than ever. From child care to shelters, clinics, and social services, CUPE 79 members are the backbone of Toronto’s public services. Yet, while they serve the community, too many workers find themselves neglected by the very city they help to function.
Toronto’s city workers: struggling to survive in the city they serve
At the heart of this movement is a demand for respect and dignity at work. Thousands of city workers are living below the poverty line despite the essential work they do. Nearly 12,000 CUPE 79 workers are paid the minimum wage, which makes it nearly impossible for workers to live in one of the most expensive cities in Canada. From full-time employees to part-timers, workers at the picket shared stories of how their wages have not kept pace with inflation or rising costs of living. Liveable wages and a $20 minimum wage are key demands in the negotiations so that every worker can keep up with rising prices.
The practice picket gave workers a platform to speak out before potentially going to the pickets to say that the city’s essential workers can’t keep working harder for less. Many workers expressed frustration with the city’s failure to recognize the increased pressure they are under as they continue to juggle increased workloads, stagnant wages, and inadequate benefits.
Workers face increased workload and burnout
Conversations at the picket line painted a stark picture of life for city workers. A worker in a city office shared how the increase in their workload had soared by nearly 35%, all while wages remain the same. Others who work closely with vulnerable communities spoke about the deep burnout and mental health struggles they face daily. With mental health benefits that fall short of their needs, many workers are pushed to their breaking point. One worker described how their colleagues, who are dedicated to serving their communities, are reluctant to complain or strike for fear of letting down those they help.
As one worker explained, “We care about the communities we serve, but we can’t continue to do more with less.” This sentiment rang true for many others at the picket, as workers described the daily struggles they face—unpredictable schedules, unmanageable workloads, and insufficient support.
A growing retention crisis
The City of Toronto is experiencing a severe employee retention crisis. There are more than 65% more job vacancies than there were in 2019, with critical positions in senior services and long-term care remaining unfilled. The City’s Auditor General has also sounded the alarm on staffing shortages, particularly among frontline workers like medical dispatchers. These shortages are no small issue—they affect all Torontonians. From delayed emergency response times to canceled programs, the lack of workers is impacting critical public services, stretching the city’s resources thin and putting more pressure on the workers who remain.
Invest in public services, invest in people
CUPE 79 and their supporters are demanding more than just a fair contract—they are calling for a sustainable future for public services and the workers who provide them. The picket line was filled with energy and urgency as city workers expressed frustration with their unpredictable schedules and unsustainable workloads.
Speakers from organizations like Parents for Child Care and Justice for Workers emphasized the need for investment in public services, particularly during this time of economic uncertainty. As tariffs loom and costs continue to rise, the city and all levels of government must prioritize supporting workers, funding public services, and strengthening communities.
The solution is clear: to weather the storm ahead, Toronto needs to raise the bar for workers and its public services. This means increasing funding for essential public sectors, such as healthcare, education, childcare, and social services. Addressing the sustained labor shortages in these vital areas will require more than just band-aid solutions—it requires long-term investment in both infrastructure and workers. This includes not only better pay and benefits for workers but also increased public funding for public transit and affordable, high-quality social housing.
These investments will not only ensure a better future for city workers but will also help keep the cost of living down for all residents. The time to invest in public services is now, not later.
Stand with CUPE 79
CUPE 79 and Justice for Workers are calling on all Torontonians to stand with city workers. Join the movement by sending a letter to Mayor Olivia Chow and your City Councillor demanding fair treatment for those who keep this city running. And, to dive deeper into the impact of economic uncertainty on workers, join Justice for Workers for an Emergency Town Hall on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 pm ET.
City workers deserve more, and it’s time for the City of Toronto to step up and deliver.
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