CUPE Local 2 bargaining update
The TTC and CUPE Local 2 (electrical skilled trades) have been working to reach a fair negotiated collective agreement. Employees in this group include streetcar overhead and subway signal maintainers, among others. Negotiations are ongoing.
CEO Mandeep S. Lali’s statement (May 12, 2026)
As I’ve said from the beginning, the TTC is committed to reaching a fair and financially sustainable agreement with the 700 highly skilled electrical workers represented by CUPE Local 2 through a respectful and constructive dialogue. Since my last update on April 30, discussions have been ongoing.
Let me be clear. The TTC values the important and highly skilled work performed by CUPE Local 2 members. I began my career as a transit electrician, and I understand the safety-critical nature of this work. At the same time, the TTC has an obligation to manage public resources responsibly. Every dollar committed at the bargaining table is a dollar paid by taxpayers and riders, and every long-term cost decision has consequences for service reliability and affordability.
The union’s current proposal would add approximately $40 million in additional costs over the term of the agreement. This is on top of a compensation package that already places CUPE Local 2 members at the high end of the public sector pay and benefits spectrum.
That existing package includes provisions that are significantly more generous than those found in most comparator agreements, including:
- Double an employee’s regular hourly rate for overtime work
- A 25% premium for Sunday work
These provisions already provide CUPE Local 2 members with a level of compensation that exceeds most comparable agreements, before any additional increases now being sought.
CUPE Local 2’s most recent agreement also delivered wage increases totaling 14.9% over four years, exceeding the 14.65% negotiated by the City of Toronto with CUPE Local 416. Even so, the TTC’s current offer continues to provide above inflation increases and wage growth that exceeds comparable transit agreements.
Taken together, the union’s proposal is not fair, reasonable or affordable for the TTC, and it is not aligned with what other TTC employees or most Torontonians can expect to earn over the next three years. Advancing proposals of this scale makes reaching a negotiated settlement more difficult and frustrates progress at the bargaining table.
The TTC cannot agree to proposals that place an unfair burden on taxpayers, customers and thousands of other frontline TTC employees.
The TTC remains at the table, ready to negotiate, all day, every day to reach a fair and financially sustainable agreement that supports employees and protects reliable transit service for the millions of customers who rely on us daily.
It is important to note that at this time, there is no change to TTC service. Customers should continue to rely on official TTC channels for confirmed real-time updates.
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CEO Mandeep S. Lali’s statement (April 30, 2026)
TTC Confirms No Board Report Issued in Collective Bargaining with CUPE Local 2
As Toronto prepares to host the world during the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, the TTC is resolute in its commitment to do everything possible to provide uninterrupted transit service for the millions of people in this city and region who rely on us every day, and for everyone visiting for this event.
Yesterday, the TTC was granted a no board report by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development as part of the ongoing collective bargaining process between the TTC and CUPE Local 2, which represents approximately 700 employees in electrical skilled trades.
A no board report is a step under the Ontario Labour Relations Act that allows for job action following a 17-day period. If an agreement is not reached by May 16 at 12:01 a.m., the TTC is prepared to lock out employees represented by CUPE Local 2.
The no-board report creates the structural foundation to reach an agreement before the tournament kicks off in Toronto on June 12.
There will be no immediate impact to TTC service, which continues to operate as normal. The TTC is available to meet CUPE Local 2 at the bargaining table 24/7 over the next 17 days to reach a negotiated agreement.
CUPE Local 2’s current position on wages exceeds current inflation projections, and recent comparable deals in the transportation industry. Agreeing to the union’s current package of proposals would result in cost increases to the TTC of approximately $86,000 per employee for compensation (i.e., vacation, wages, etc.) over a three-year agreement. This is not in line with what the TTC perceives to be a fair and fiscally responsible agreement.
Our priority continues to be delivering safe, reliable service to the people of Toronto while respecting the collective bargaining process. The TTC continues to plan responsibly for all scenarios while remaining committed to reaching an agreement at the table.
What customers need to know:
- A no board report means job action is legally possible after 17 days, but negotiations continue during this period.
- There will be no immediate impact to TTC service as a result of the no-board report.
- The TTC is committed to keeping customers informed and will share updates or any changes that could affect service at ttc.ca/bargaining and through official TTC channels.
The TTC will continue to provide updates as negotiations progress ahead of any labour action.
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CEO Mandeep S. Lali’s statement (April 24, 2026)
Today, the TTC requested a no-board report from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development as part of ongoing collective bargaining with CUPE Local 2, representing the TTC’s approximately 700 skilled electrical workers.
With Toronto preparing to host the world during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, we are resolute in our commitment to ensure we’re doing everything possible to provide uninterrupted transit service for the millions of people in this City and Region who rely on us every day, and for everyone visiting for this prestigious event. Requesting a no-board report creates the structural foundation to reach an agreement before the event kicks off in Toronto on June 12.
CUPE Local 2’s website indicates members have voted in favour of a strike mandate. Following this vote, the TTC decided that requesting the no-board report was the best way to encourage meaningful, good-faith negotiations. Neither the strike vote nor the application for a no-board report will have any impact on TTC service. Both are steps in the collective bargaining process and do not automatically lead to job action.
After the Ministry issues a no-board report early next week, the earliest possible date for labour disruption would be the 17th day following the date of issuance.
We remain fully committed to reaching a new collective agreement as we have been since January 2026, and we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to negotiate with CUPE, working to ensure we do not have a labour disruption. However, if required, we have robust contingency plans in place and are prepared to act.
Any updates on bargaining and potential impacts to service will be communicated to customers and employees in due course.
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CEO Mandeep S. Lali’s statement (March 17, 2026)
Today, the TTC formally filed for conciliation with CUPE Local 2 through Ontario's Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. CUPE Local 2 is a bargaining unit representing some 700 employees (electrical, signal and cable technicians).
While the current collective agreement with this bargaining unit does not expire until the end of the month, entering conciliation at this stage is intended to support a timely and constructive resolution to negotiations. There is no impact on customers, service, or safety as a result of this step. Transit operations continue as normal.
Conciliation provides an opportunity for CUPE Local 2 and the TTC to work with an independent third party to advance collective bargaining in a fair and efficient manner.
The TTC remains focused on achieving an agreement that is fair to employees, reflects fiscal realities, and maintains operational continuity. Constructive dialogue through conciliation is viewed as the most effective path to a mutually acceptable outcome.