It's back to negotiations as two of the four units from CUPE Local 79 agreed with the city's final contract offer, while the part-time recreation workers and long-term care unit have rejected the deal.

CUPE Local 79 workers line up for strike vote COURTESY Creative Commons

The results of Wednesday's vote by the 23,000 union workers was announced as a split decision shortly before 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

The offer was accepted by two of the union's full-time and part-time units, but part-time recreation workers and long-term care units are still looking for further negotiations.

The long-term care unit is categorized as an essential service and not legally allowed to strike, and is set to enter arbitration.

However, there is still contention with the part-time recreation workers contract on 36 of the 61 items contested, including job security, sick time, and mileage compensation.

According to thestar.com, Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday said that city negotiators will meet later today to discuss a course of action regarding the recreation workers.

“We’re not exactly sure what their situation is or what their problem is at this point,” Holyday told thestar.com. “We’re going to have to see if we can find out what it is and what we can do about it.”

CUPE Local 79 spokesperson Tor Sandberg told thedailyplanet.com that the union "hopes the city will comes back to the table so that they can look at what the biggest concerns are from the part time recreation workers - the ones who rejected the contract and who could possibly go on stike or be locked out."

Sandberg said that the major issues the part-time recreation workers wish to discuss is scheduling and seniority rights.

With a labour disruption looming over the recreation workers, an end is in sight for the city's 11-day long library strike.

Reports say the Toronto Public Libraries Union Local 4948 has reached a tentative agreement with the city and 2,300 library workers will vote Thursday afternoon and evening.

Councilor Paul Ainslie said in an article on thestar.com that both sides seem to have reached an agreement that they are both pleased with.

"As the library board chair I want our side to accept it,” Ainslie said to thestar.com.

"I want to have libraries opening by Friday.”

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