Update (Monday, June 22, 12:21 p.m.): If you’re planning on taking your trash to the transfer stations, please note that picketers have been blocking the entrances to the trash transfer depots. I would recommend checking the news before you head out to a transfer station.
It’s on: Locals 79 and 416 of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) has called for a strike after the city and the union were unable to come to an agreement on their collective agreements.
What the Press Says
Services Affected by the Strike
Here’s what services are affected:
- Garbage/Recycling/Green Bin Collection
Cancelled, except in Etobicoke and apartment/condo buildings (including my place!), where it’s contracted out. People are being asked to store their garbage for as long as they can, or drop it off at the city’s garbage drop-off points (see the map below). - Ambulances/Paramedics
Still operating, but 25% of paramedics are expected not to work on any given day during the strike. Best not to get injured right now. - Daycare Centres
All 57 daycare centres are closed. - Island Ferries
All ferries – except the one to the Island Airport – are cancelled. - Parks and Recreation
Parks will be open, but there’s no ground maintenance. “Programming”, such as summer camps, classes, drop-ins and lessons are cancelled. City-run golf courses, wading and swimming pools, fitness and community centres are closed. Automated timers aren’t in the union, so splash pads on automated timers are still running. - Public Libraries
Branches are still open, except for 5 that use city facilities: Armour Heights, Flemingdon Park, St. James Town, Todmorden Room and Port Union. Branches at City Hall and Metro Hall are open, with adjusted hours. - Weddings
Wedding ceremonies at Toronto City Hall will continue during regular business hours. Permits for wedding photos in city parks are cancelled. Wedding facilities in East York, Scarborough and York are cancelled. Only previously scheduled ceremonies at North York Civic Centre will continue. - Parking
Parking enforcement continues! Deadlines to pay tickets will not be extended. No new permits will be issued. - Taxes
Property taxes still have to be paid on the due dates, but drop boxes in civic centres will no be available. Best to pay them via mail, your bank or drop box in public library (if it’s not one of the affected ones).
Garbage Drop-Off Points
If you need to get rid of garbage, the following locations will take it:
- Ingram Transfer Station
50 Ingram Drive (Keele/Eglinton area)
Open 24 hours - Bermondsey Transfer Station
188 Bermondsey Road (Victoria Park/Eglinton area)
Open 24 hours
(I wrote about this place in a 2004 article titled Midnight Trash Run.) - Commissioners Street Transfer Station
400 Commissioners Street (Lakeshore/Logan area)
Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. - Disco Transfer Station
120 Disco Road (Carlingview/Disco area)
Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. - Dufferin Transfer Station
35 Vanley Crescent (Chesswood/Sheppard area)
Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. - Victoria Park Transfer Station
3550 Victoria Park Avenue (Victoria Park/Finch area)
Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. - Scarborough Transfer Station
1 Transfer Place (Markham Road/Sheppard area)
Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
View Comments
This really sucks for renters, the elderly and people without cars. During the last strike, I saw the glaring class divide around public works. Essentially, those with the means weren't especially effected by it. They could either pay to have private services truck their crap or else haul it themselves. And they don't have to worry about their kids having stuff to do at parks 'n rec because their kids can go and enjoy mom and dad's health club, go to camp or pack up in the car and have fun up at a lake. As an inner city kid, I was dependent on parks 'n rec for my summer fun. So this is really the worst for the urban poor - particularly the children.
The other thing to watch is the news coverage. If you watch CTV there's plenty of talk about drop off points - because the classist assumption that everybody has access to a car. There are thousands of people in Toronto who do not. We don't have a car out of choice, but many don't have a car simply because it's too costly. People's responses to this strike are mediated by their access to alternatives.
Will be interesting to see if the local MSM has any solid advice for renters and the urban poor. Not just people with the means for "alternatives."
Hey Joey,
Just an FYI - expect to be held up by the picket line for >10-15 minutes if/when you go to dump the garbage. The Post's Toronto blog had something this morning on that. Also, as a west end resident, I'd give a hat tip to Doug Holyday for outsourcing Etobicoke's garbage collection duties back in his last few months as the borough's mayor before amalgamation.
I have a better idea:
Drop your garbage off at:
34 St. Patrick Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1V1
and let CUPE handle it.
Better yet......... Drop off your garbage where it belongs. CITY HALL and let management handle it !!!!
NEGOTIATE FAIRLY !!
I heard a story once of a guy who got rid of his garbage by gift wrapping it and leaving it in his car so people would steal it.
alternative place to take garbage: right to the garbage workers feet.
here are the two main strike locations
34 St. Patrick St.
Toronto, ON
M5T 1V1
1350 Ellesmere Rd.-
Unit# 201
Scarborough, ON
M1H 3H2
I am a adult who is disabled and I am worryed about being able to even use the side walk I sure arnt going to wheel my wheelchair down the street when the sidewalks fill up with garbage and are to full to use. This is what I and other had to do last time and I will not risk my life again trying this. Does anyone esle have similar problems it may be with your kids or a strolller or even the parking lot some people are going to use as a dump.
"Still operating, but 25% of ambulance drivers and paramedics are expected not to work on any given day during the strike. Best not to get injured right now. "
Ambulances in Toronto are entirely staffed by Paramedics. There is no such thing as "an ambulance driver" .
DocTrembly: Corrected. Thanks for the heads-up!
We will be doing garbage pick up on Saturday June 27/09 in the West end of Toronto. We will be charging a nominal fee per bag. If interested in a pick up on Saturday please email garbagepickup1009@yahoo.ca.