Toronto Zoo to reopen Thursday, staff on strike reach deal
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Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 10:29 AM - UPDATE: Exactly one month after walking off the job, unionized Toronto Zoo staff have voted in favour of an agreement with zoo management.
CUPE Local 1600, the union representing Toronto Zoo staff, ratified a four-year collective agreement by way of a secret ballot vote.
The zoo is expected to reopen Thursday morning.
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Roughly 400 members of CUPE Local 1600 left work on May 11 after a dispute began with unionized staff concerned about job security
The workers impacted include more than 400 zookeepers, horticulturalists, maintenance staff, trades persons, animal nutrition assistants, veterinary technicians and education staff.
Toronto Zoo spokesperson Jennifer Tracey told CP24 that, during the strike, the animals received "excellent care," and that "not one of [the zoo's] conservation programs were impacted by the strike."
WATCH BELOW: Everything you need to know about the Toronto Zoo
Strikers temporarily broke the picket lines to support two newborn leopards.
In addition to the leopard cubs, the Toronto Zoo recently received newborn cheetah cubs.
Toronto Zoo cheetah cubs in their den at approximately one month old! Mom is taking good care of them. They now weigh between 2.1 - 2.4kg. pic.twitter.com/jhnhFuSblu
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) June 2, 2017
After the birth of the two leopard cubs prior, unionized staff broke the picket.
Cupe Local 1600's president Christine McKenzie told CBC News that staff had to return to work after the mother leopard displayed signs of rejection toward her cubs.
A little too cute for words. Our Toronto Zoo clouded leopard cubs are now starting to walk and meow, with eyes fully open at 21 days. pic.twitter.com/87l56nemLG
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) June 2, 2017
The circumstance was beyond zoo management's capacities, so the union provided three veterinary technicians to care for the cubs overnight, CBC reports.
"The board has a responsibility to ensure that our animals receive the highest quality of care," McKenzie told CBC News. "That can only be achieved with our members."
RELATED VIDEO: Toronto Zoo panda gives birth to Canada's first cubs
SOURCES: CBC News | CP24 | CUPE Local 1600
