CUPE Union 1600 Strike Closes the Toronto Zoo

Toronto Zoo's fair and reasonable proposals rejected by Union which included job security and wage increases.

The Toronto Zoo is a not-for-profit charitable organization. The union’s demands were simply unaffordable and do not reflect the financial realities facing the Zoo or other settlements reached within the City of Toronto. The Zoo has been very clear since negotiations started, that any new contract would be fair and reasonable to employees and take into consideration the provisions reached in the last round of negotiations between the City and other CUPE locals.

Toronto Zoo employees, including our valued employees represented by CUPE 1600, are well paid, receive an employer paid pension plan, multiple weeks of vacation, and are covered by excellent health and dental benefits which includes more than 100 sick days per year.

Since Tuesday (May 9, 2017) morning, the Zoo has been providing the union with a series of proposals to address the issues they raised with us respecting job security.

The Toronto Zoo has been more than fair and reasonable. The negotiation process involves give and take by both parties but the Union has not provided any flexibility from their side. We are satisfied that the proposals recently tabled by the Zoo satisfactorily address the issues of job security raised by the Union and also provides for wage increases throughout the term of the agreement.

The Zoo has initiated a robust contingency plan to ensure the health and welfare of our animals is our number one priority. They will be taken care of in every way by highly qualified management staff, many who were former keepers themselves. ‎