UPDATE (April 26th, 12:01am): In a surprise reversal, the TTC strike is ON after the tentative deal wasn't ratified!

Original entry:

Our greatest fears have been quashed. It's official - the TTC strike (that was seemingly an inevitability) has been averted after contract negotiations helped the two sides successfully arrive at a tentative agreement.

After warning us that Monday would be the start of job action, and making a valiant attempt to come to an agreement at weekend contract negotiations, they TTC and union succeeding in coming to a deal. They went beyond the 4p.m. deadline (and apparently needed to order lots of pizza), but the good news finally came - and the strike has been averted!

1.5 million transit users are breathing a sigh of relief this afternoon. It could have been a terrible day tomorrow, but instead the TTC will live up to its reputation as "The Better Way"...

Ratification of the deal is pending, but in the meantime service will go on without job action.

The highlight of Bob Kinnear's announcement? I'd have to say that it was his admission that TTC fares are too high and that service is sub-par.

UPDATE (6:30pm):
Statement by the TTC (source):
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TTC Strike Averted
Full Service Tomorrow, April 21

The Toronto Transit Commission is pleased that it was able to achieve a negotiated settlement with its unions today, subject to ratification by all parties, thereby avoiding a strike.

Details of the settlement will not be released until after ratification, but the TTC believes the settlement is a fair and reasonable one for its workers, and good for the people of Toronto.

NOTE: Mayor David Miller and TTC Chair Adam Giambrone will be available for comment at 7 p.m. today, Mayor's Office, Toronto City Hall.
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UPDATE (7:10pm):
In a press conference, Mayor Miller deflected questions about the possibility of the province declaring the TTC an essential service, praised the efforts of TTC and union negotiators, and suggested that specifics will come after the deal is ratified by all parties.

Lead photo by Roger Cullman.