TORONTO — The union representing safety inspectors at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) says contract negotiations have broken down, causing 170 of its members to walk off the job as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday .
In a statement posted on its website, OPSEU/SEFPO said safety inspectors with Local 546 had been bargaining for their first contract since November 2021, and negotiations broke off Wednesday afternoon when TSSA walked away from the table.
The union says striking workers are inspecting amusement park rides, food trucks, elevators, fuel-burning equipment, boilers and pressure vessels and elements at nuclear power plants, as well as helping police and fire departments.
Key issues in the negotiations include wages, benefits, staffing shortages and improved accountability for public safety standards and practices by TSSA.
TSSA posted its own statement on its website earlier this week when the strike notice was issued, saying it had contingency plans in place in the event of an inspector strike.
The authority says it will continue to respond to serious safety incidents and inspect all sites classified as high risk, as well as provide services to critical infrastructure such as hospitals and long-term care homes.
It said every effort would be made to minimize disruption to business as much as possible.
OPSEU/SEFPO says workers will picket near the entrance to Canada’s Wonderland on Thursday afternoon.
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