Toronto Zoo and Union at an impasse; deadline extended

Two of the old protaganists from the Zoo are involved at York University this year Matt Graves on the labour side and Bob Smith on the management side.

TORONTO – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1600 and the Toronto Zoo agreed to extend a lockout deadline by seven days following a long day of bargaining. Talks ended just before midnight last night.

The parties have agreed to resume negotiations next Sunday, May 2. If they fail to reach an agreement by 12:01 a.m., Monday, May 2, zoo employees could be locked out and the zoo shut down.

The current contract expired on March 31, 2005. CUPE Local 1600 represents approximately 170 permanent employees and 200 seasonal and casual workers at the zoo, many of whom earn wages as low as $9 an hour.

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