Toronto Zoo closed as 400 employees launch a strike

Murphy

Executive Branch Member
Apr 12, 2013
8,181
0
36
Ontario
This is a no brainer. Keep them out until what they want is swallowed up by loss of income over the life of the new contract - except for that portion they were offered by the city.



Don't plan on seeing panda twins Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue on Friday.
The zoo is expected to be closed due to a labour dispute. (Toronto Zoo)

Toronto Zoo closed as 400 employees launch a strike

Striking Toronto Zoo workers 'are well paid,' Mayor Tory says

The Toronto Zoo is expected to remain closed on Friday after 400 of its employees went on strike Thursday — a situation that could jeopardize this season's breeding program if it's not soon resolved, the union says.

The striking workers include zookeepers, horticulturists, maintenance and administrative staff and others. The CUPE Local 1600 employees began picketing Thursday morning, turning over the care of the zoo's nearly 6,000 animals to the zoo's management.

Talks continued until late Wednesday night before they broke off — due to a dispute over job security, according to the union, and affordability, according to the zoo.

"We certainly don't want to be out here," union local president Christine McKenzie said. "We have a number of animals who are pregnant right now, we have a brand new health centre opening next week and all of that's in jeopardy right now."

The rest here - Toronto Zoo closed as 400 employees launch a strike - Toronto - CBC News