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CUPE 1600 members vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action at Toronto Zoo

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a vote today, members of CUPE 1600 at the Toronto Zoo sent a strong message to their employer, voting 99 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary to secure a fair collective agreement.

“This strong mandate shows our members are united and our goal remains to reach a fair agreement at the bargaining table,” said Lynda Bongelli, president of CUPE 1600. “Our members are the people who care for the animals, keep the Toronto Zoo running, and make sure visitors have a safe and meaningful experience every day. Their work is essential to a major public institution in this city, and it deserves to be respected.”

The strike vote gives the union a mandate to take strike action if required, but a strike deadline has not been set. CUPE 1600 is seeking an agreement that improves hours of work and protects against precarious work, while rejecting employer concessions that would cut overtime, sick time, and bereavement leave for many workers.

CUPE 1600 represents more than 400 workers across over 140 roles at the Toronto Zoo, including zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades workers, educators, conservation staff, and guest services workers. Their collective agreement expired on March 31, 2026.

:gv/cope491

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Katrina McGaughey, CUPE Communications Representative
514-898-6139
kmcgaughey@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information, please contact:
Katrina McGaughey, CUPE Communications Representative
514-898-6139
kmcgaughey@cupe.ca

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