CUPE Local 2 celebrates historic court of appeal victory affirming right to strike

TORONTO, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– CUPE Local 2 is thrilled with today’s landmark decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal, which ruled in favour of the original claimants by denying the Crown’s appeal to uphold Bill 150, the TTC’s essential services legislation. This marks a significant win for the rights of working people, and the right to strike.

“This is great news for all TTC workers,” said Sumit Guleria, President of CUPE Local 2. “The Court’s decision ensures our workers have the same rights as other transit workers across the country, affirming the essential right to strike.”

A judgment handed down in May 2023 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that Bill 150 violated workers’ Charter right to free collective bargaining. Today’s ruling was in response to the government’s appeal of that decision.

The timing of this decision is crucial as ATU Local 113 approaches its bargaining deadlines. CUPE Local 2 stands in full support of ATU Local 113 and their efforts to negotiate fair terms and conditions.

“This victory highlights the importance of solidarity among transit workers,” Guleria added. “We are proud to support ATU Local 113 and all workers fighting for their rights.”

“We are delighted that the courts have once again affirmed that the right to strike is a protected Charter right, and we urge the Ford government to learn from its past mistakes and abandon any appeal of today’s decision,” said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario. “We as workers take the decision to withdraw our labour very seriously; it’s a step that’s only ever taken after we’ve exhausted every other avenue toward a fair deal. The best way to avoid a strike – at the TTC or anywhere – is to have robust funding from government that allows public sector employers to recognize and value the services workers provide.”

The 2023 judgment was made in response to a challenge filed in 2015 by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 113, representing public transit workers; and by CUPE Local 2, whose members perform all installations, maintenance and troubleshooting on all the TTC’s electrical safety equipment.

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For more information, contact:

Katrina McGaughey, Communications Representative, CUPE
kmcgaughey@cupe.ca
514-898-6139