Brampton Transit, other key services disrupted as 1,200 city workers go on strike

Brampton is seeing disruptions to some key municipal services after 1,200 city workers went on strike Thursday.

The workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 831, walked off the job in the early morning hoursafter contract negotiations with the city failed to produce a new deal.

The employees on strike include those responsible for public transit, parks and recreation, road maintenance, animal control, courthouse services, bylaw enforcement, and building inspections and permits.

Brampton Transit said it wasexperiencing "major delays in service" as a result of the labour dispute, and advised riders to make alternative travel plans.

Bargaining began on March 31, but there has been little progress, said Fabio Gazzola,CUPE Local 831 president.

"There didn't seem to be a sense of urgency from the employer until yesterday," hetold CBC Torontofrom a picket line Thursday.

Gazzolasaid the striking workers want a pay increase and a health and benefits package on par with management.

"Management obviously gets paid more, but why should theireconomic increases be significantly more? Their benefits, their health and wellness plan, is significantly better. Why is that? Their vacation is better. So we scratch our heads and say, do we not work for the same employer?" he said.

Jason Tamming, Brampton's director of strategic communications and also a member of the city's bargaining team, said the municipality is prioritizing essential and emergency services during the strike.

"CUPE Local 831 has been offered a reasonable multi-year deal that is fair, and readily recognizes the important work of our employees and what the community is able to afford," Tamming said in an email.

"The City negotiated over 9 months in good faith putting forward a series of offers that are greater than inflation, that do not compromise resident's ability to pay," he said.

He said the city is ready to return to the negotiating table.

Costs of living up since last contract, union says

The terms of the contract that expired earlier this year were negotiated five years ago. The years since saw significant increasesin the costs of living, Gazzola said.

"It's getting to the point where workers in Brampton can't even afford to live in Brampton. That's the frustration. [Management] seem to always have money for them, but the last time I looked it's the workerswho do the jobs on a daily basis," he said.

WATCH | How affordability is linked with labour disputes:

Why the affordability crisis is pushing workers to take job action

2 months ago

Duration 7:57

There have been several high-profile labour disputes across Canada over the past year, from LCBO workers to rail employees to Air Canada pilots. CBCs Shannon Martin explains whats driving it and what the future of the labour movement could look like.

In a statement posted onsocial media, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the union was offered a "fair, multi-year deal" with terms identical to the agreement reached with CUPE members in Mississauga.

"CUPE will not hold our city hostage," Brown said, adding he is "deeply disappointed" with public transit being impacted.

"Brampton residents deserve better, and we will pursue every possible avenue to restore services," he said.

You can find the latest information on all the potential service disruptions here.