6,100 U of Toronto Staff Spare Strike

The University of Toronto staff have reached a tentative agreement, avoiding a potential strike, after voting 96% in favour of strike action due to concerns over workload and job security. The agreement is pending approval from the 6,100 workers who were ready to strike.

The University of Toronto staff were represented by the United Steelworkers Local 1998 in the negotiations. The union had expressed concerns over the university's plan to find $20 million in savings by not replacing employees who leave the university, which would worsen the heavy workload burden on existing staff.

Job security was the number one non-monetary priority for the union members, and the tentative agreement aims to address this concern. The United Steelworkers Local 1998 and the University of Toronto have both confirmed the tentative agreement.

Kenneth Corts, VP people, finance and digital services, thanked both bargaining teams for their professionalism and hard work throughout negotiations. The agreement is a significant development, as it avoids a potential strike that could have disrupted the university's operations.

## Why it matters The tentative agreement is crucial for the 6,100 workers who were ready to strike, as it addresses their concerns over job security and workload. The university's plan to find $20 million in savings by not replacing employees who leave the university had sparked concerns among staff, and the tentative agreement aims to mitigate the impact of this plan. The agreement also highlights the importance of collective bargaining and the role of unions in protecting workers' rights.

The tentative agreement is pending approval from the 6,100 workers, and dates are yet to be set for it to be ratified. The University of Toronto and the United Steelworkers Local 1998 will likely work together to ensure a smooth implementation of the agreement, once it is approved by the workers.