The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century

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

• Posted Toronto (National Post blog): Toronto City Workers on Strike
• Posted Toronto: The Iconic Nature of 18 Sick Days
• Globe and Mail: Toronto City Workers on Strike
• Globe and Mail: Unions Living in Dreamland
• Toronto Star: City Workers Walk; Talks Go On
• Toronto Star: Bad Timing Has Caused Strike

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:

1. Ingram Transfer Station
   50 Ingram Drive (Keele/Eglinton area)
   Open 24 hours
2. 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.)
3. Commissioners Street Transfer Station
   400 Commissioners Street (Lakeshore/Logan area)
   Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
4. Disco Transfer Station
   120 Disco Road (Carlingview/Disco area)
   Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
5. Dufferin Transfer Station
   35 Vanley Crescent (Chesswood/Sheppard area)
   Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
6. Victoria Park Transfer Station
   3550 Victoria Park Avenue (Victoria Park/Finch area)
   Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
7. Scarborough Transfer Station
   1 Transfer Place (Markham Road/Sheppard area)
   Open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.