A vocal neighbourhood group fed up with the City using its popular park as a garbage dump took its protest all the way to City Hall Wednesday.
Members of
Friends of Christie Pits Park showed up at Nathan Phillips Square carrying bags stuffed with fake garbage and placards that read, "Keep our parks beautiful" and "Parks are not dumps."
Earlier this week, some even confronted residents trying to unload trash at their local arena and strongly encouraged them to line up at a transfer station. The site at Christie Pits is only one of
19 temporary waste sites already in use. And if those fill up, more green spaces could be added to the list.
As a strike by Toronto civic employees wears on, both the City and the unions are accusing each other of being unresponsive.
"Local 79 has not responded formally to the City's full monetary proposal for eight days, despite being out on strike," Mayor David Miller pointed out on Tuesday.
He added that since Sunday June 21, Local 79 has been available for less than six hours of meetings, either directly or through the mediator.
But Ann Dembinski, president of Local 79, said she would settle as soon as concession demands were taken off the table.
About 30,000 City employees have been without a contract since December 31.
Negotiations broke down on June 22nd, with members of CUPE Local 79 and Local 416 walking off the job at 12:01am.
At issue are benefits, including sick days, seniority rights, job security and scheduling. Employees want to keep 18 sick days a year which can be banked and cashed out at retirement. But the City wants to create short-term disability programs instead.
Meanwhile, City-run Canada Day celebrations have been cancelled due to the labour disagreement, as officials cannot guarantee the parks would be cleaned up afterward.
But there are still plenty of places to see the fireworks on July 1.
Click here to see our full list.
The strike has also closed City-run daycares, parks and recreation programs, swimming pools and ferry service.
Is Your Park Next?
Canada Day Quiz/Where To See Fireworks
City Announces 19 Temporary Dump Sites