2006 Toronto Transit Commission wildcat strike

Toronto Transit Commission wildcat strike
DateMay 29, 2006
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Caused byproposed changes in work schedules
Methodsstrike action
Parties
TTC mechanical and janitorial workers

The 2006 Toronto Transit Commission wildcat strike was an unlawful strike in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that occurred on May 29, 2006. It was initiated by 800 Toronto Transit Commission mechanical and janitorial workers who were protesting proposed changes in work schedules, including permanent reassignment of 100 workers to night shifts.[1]

The strike began between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. EDT, and quickly resulted in a large scale disruption of service when transit drivers honoured the picket line, effectively shutting down the Toronto transit system. The shutdown left over a million commuters searching for alternative means of transport and cost an estimated $3 million in lost revenues.[2]

By 7 a.m. the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) issued a cease-and-desist order to pickets; this order was ignored. A further back-to-work directive was forwarded by the OLRB, and eventually Amalgamated Transit Union officials requested the workers to comply, the call coming just before 3 p.m. EDT.[3] Given the logistical difficulties, limited service slowly increased, with full service resuming later in the evening.[4]

  1. ^ "Service resumes slowly as TTC dispute ends". CBC News. May 29, 2006. Archived from the original on October 14, 2006. Retrieved June 25, 2006.
  2. ^ "Toronto transit workers begin sudden strike". Reuters. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. ^ "Toronto transit shutdown stalls commuters". CBC News. May 29, 2006. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2006.
  4. ^ "Wheels rolling again as TTC wildcat ends". CTV News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2006.