University of Toronto and workers’ union reach tentative agreement as classes begin

The University of Toronto says it has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing more than 6,100 program co-ordinators, academic advisers, lab assistants and IT workers.

The workers had voted in favour of a strike mandate that could have put them in a position to walk off the job in the first week of classes.

United Steelworkers Local 1998 says the union will schedule a ratification information town hall to give members of the U of T Staff-Appointed Unit an overview of the tentative agreement and answer their questions.

The union says more details about the town hall and the ratification vote will be shared once they are finalized.

If the collective agreement is ratified, it will be in effect until June 30, 2029.

John Ankenman, president of USW Local 1998, had said that members are concerned about job security and the workload burden, noting the school has told workers it will not replace employees who leave the university.

The union had said that 96 per cent of ballots cast by its members were in favour of a strike mandate.

The University of Toronto says it’s pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2026.