Toronto's Labour Day parade bypasses CNE as lockout at Exhibition Place drags on

Toronto's Labour Day parade bypassed the Canadian National Exhibition this year to show supportfor stagehands locked out of Exhibition Place since July.

In a break with tradition, the annual parade endedat Lamport Stadium, south of King Street West and east of DufferinStreet, where about 5,000 peoplegathered on Monday to hear speeches.

Exhibition Place, an entertainment and convention site that is the venue for theCNE,locked outInternational Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 58, over the issue of outside contracts. A picket line staffed by IATSELocal 58 is still in place outsidethe annual fair.

JustinAntheunis, president ofIATSELocal 58, said he's thankful for the support from the Labour Day marchers.

"The solidarity that Local 58 has seen from the entire labour movement, not just in Toronto but across the country, has been fantastic and it means a lot to us that they're not going to cross the picket line," he said.

Thousands march in Toronto parade

Thousands of workersmarchedin the parade, which started at Queen Street West and University Avenue early Monday.

IATSELocal 58 was the lead union in the parade, which means it was the first union to march.

The parade madeits way along Queen and turnedsouth onDufferinStreet before heading east along Liberty Street toLamportStadium.

The parade's theme this yearis "Mobilize for Justice."

Speaking to reporters at the parade's start, Toronto Mayor John Torysaid he would like to see an end to the labour dispute between Exhibition Place's board of governors and IATSELocal 58.

"I really, really want to see a resolution. I want to see one that's fair to the workers, but also fair to Exhibition Place and the taxpayers who own it," Tory said.

"I'm delighted by the fact that they're still negotiating. And I encourage them to keep negotiating. That's the only way that these things get resolved, is through negotiation.

"I hope that each day that they're there becomes a day that we're closer to a settlement."

Before the start of the march,Uniforpresident JerryDiasspoke to attendees about the importance of fair wages and work environments.

"As we march together I want you to think about solidarity," he said. "I want you to think about our union moving forward."

Bargaining talks to resume Tuesday

As for bargaining talks, IATSELocal 58 and Exhibition Place's board of governors are expected to get back to the tableon Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The board and the union, which representsabout 400 stagehands and technical employees, have saidtalks this weekend failed to resolve the dispute.

Both sides of the negotiations saidthey were unsuccessful after meeting for 12 hourson Saturday in talks that focused on the locked-out employee's contract.

The union is upset with the Exhibition Place board of governors' plan to bring in its own workers to set up and supervise eventswhile they still don't have have a contract. Workers haven't had a contract since December of 2017.

Premier issues Labour Day statement

In a joint statement released on Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Labour Minister Laurie Scott said they are trying to make Ontario a good place to work and live.

"Your government is committed to more economic opportunity for Ontario's workers and wants everyone to have confidence in a safe workplace," Ford and Scottsaid.

"Together, we can create unprecedented jobs and prosperity and send a message to the world that Ontario is open for business."

Rally to raise funds for IATSE

AtLamportStadium, there werespeeches, music, food, games for children and a beer tent, with proceeds going toIATSELocal 58.