From the Toronto Star:
For the first time in the 19-day strike Toronto Mayor David Miller has released comprehensive details of the city's latest offer to its striking workers.
Under the new terms presented to its striking unionized workers, management is offering a four-year deal with wage increases of one per cent in each of the first two years, two per cent in 2011 and 3 per cent in 2012.
On the controversial sick leave bank, which provides up to six months' pay when employees retire, the city is proposing a partial payout to current employees who would then be moved to a new short-term disability plan.
In a statement, the city said it believes the new offer provides a basis to reach a settlement with members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Locals 79 and 416, representing about 30,000 civic workers.
"The city wants an end to the strike but the city cannot simply agree to everything that the unions have requested to make that happen," the statement said, adding both locals have been seeking wage hikes of more than 3 per cent annually.
"The city cannot afford all of the increases to wages, shift premiums, vacation time and benefits the unions have requested."
At a City Hall news conference this morning, Miller stopped short of calling the proposal a "final offer" but told reporters there is "not much (more) room to move."
In explaining his rationale for releasing the details, he said it is "important for us to tell the people of Toronto the facts."
"I'm hopeful we'll see some movement from the unions today or over the weekend," Miller added.
Read the rest here.
Um, we are sitting on three weeks worth of garbage and the city has yet to present its final offer?
Is it me or should someone maybe get on that?
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