TTC supervisors take strike vote as they continue to bargain their first collective agreement

TORONTO – Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) station supervisors, represented by CUPE 5585, voted overwhelmingly last week to authorize a strike as negotiations for their first collective agreement stall.

Violence and disorder on the TTC have increased in recent years, with station supervisors increasingly dispatched to respond to emergencies and security-related and customer incidents. Station supervisors organized with CUPE in 2025 after years of raising concerns about workplace safety and staffing. More than a year into bargaining their first contract, and with the TTC seeking concessions from workers, 88 of 115 members participated in the vote, with 97 per cent voting in favour of strike action.

“This is an exceptionally strong strike mandate to deliver in our very first round of bargaining. Members made their needs clear when we organized for safer work. We’re making our needs clear once again with this strike vote,” said Maher Abbod, the acting president of CUPE 5585 and a station supervisor with 13 years of experience. “We won’t accept a contract that moves us backwards.”

TTC management is trying to impose a contract that would make these jobs more challenging and less secure while failing to address workers’ safety concerns. Specifically, the TTC is attempting to introduce split shifts that would significantly disrupt members’ work-life balance, reduce sick-leave protections, eliminate or freeze shift premiums, and impose short- and long-term disability provisions that are inferior to those received by other unionized TTC employees.

Station supervisors are responsible for the safe and orderly management of subway stations. Their duties include supervising station staff, conducting daily fire, safety and station inspections, identifying and documenting deficiencies, controlling and investigating train and station incidents, and minimizing service disruptions. Yet the reality of the job has increasingly shifted toward responding to security-related incidents, emergencies and safety concerns, making station supervisors a critical frontline presence in maintaining safety and keeping the TTC moving. Their presence throughout stations and on trains is vital to observing and reporting incidents as they occur, making Station Supervisors an important set of eyes on the system and an essential link in the rapid identification and reporting of safety and security concerns.

“When station supervisors have the support, staffing, and protections they need, they are better equipped to respond quickly to emergencies, support frontline employees, and help keep Toronto’s transit system operating safely and efficiently,” said Peter Nasevski, the Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Local 5585, with 27 years of TTC service, including 24 years as a station supervisor.

“TTC management refuses to acknowledge how much this job has changed or the realities we face every day,” said Abbod. “We know this work. We know what it takes to keep stations operating safely and to keep Toronto moving. We deserve predictable schedules, meaningful workplace support, adequate sick leave, and fair compensation.”

CUPE 5585 remains committed to negotiating a fair first collective agreement and has offered to return to the bargaining table on August 11. The union is awaiting TTC management’s response and hopes meaningful negotiations can continue to avoid any disruption to transit service.