After numerous days of bargaining, CUPE Local 53 FT has gone on strike.

As a result, the Town is now prioritizing essential services delivery and health and safety related matters. This means that, effective immediately, all Town facilities, recreation programs and services, and in-person customer service desks are closed to the public, except for the Whitby Public Library Central and Rossland branch locations.

Many programs and services have also been suspended or modified, including recreation programs and special events. For details or information on how to contact the Town during this time, visit whitby.ca/2023labourdisruption. Updates will also be shared through the Town’s social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Residents can subscribe to receive emailed updates directly to their inbox at whitby.ca/subscribe.

The Town continues to be committed to achieving a fair and reasonable agreement that balances the needs of our workforce and Whitby residents. The Town has made numerous modifications to its proposal to address CUPE’s concerns and ensure there is minimal impact to current employees, while providing needed flexibility to respond to changing community needs in the future.

The Town’s current proposal includes significant benefit improvements and a 9.5 per cent wage increase over the next three years, in line with or better than the average negotiated increase in other recent CUPE agreements. It also includes modifications to ensure there is minimal impact to current employees, while providing needed flexibility to respond to changing community needs in the future.

Quick Facts

• Labour negotiations have been ongoing between the Town of Whitby and CUPE Local 53 Full-time since March 2023.
• After fifteen (15) days of collective bargaining, including five (5) days with a provincially appointed Conciliation Officer, the parties are in a legal strike or lockout position as of 12:01 am on October 14, 2023.
• Approximately 300 full-time staff are represented by CUPE Local 53 Full-time.

More Information

Updates will be shared through the Town’s social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, and a dedicated webpage at whitby.ca/2023labourdisruption. 

Residents can sign up for "Labour Dispute" news updates to receive direct emails at whitby.ca/subscribe.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.314.6913
Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca