Don't expect tax refund from strike savings

This summer's 39-day municipal strike saved City Hall $33.2 million — but don't expect a cheque for your troubles.

City officials are instead recommending those savings be used to balance next year's operating budget.

In a report released Tuesday, city officials are recommending the savings be set aside for next year's budget.

In the report, city staff say issuing taxpayers a refund would cost money to implement and note that many tax-funded services — like police, fire, library, and TTC — were not disrupted during the strike.

Non-union staff raked in $25 million working overtime during the strike, and unionized staff made $1.2 million mostly cleaning up the mess afterwards with overtime hours.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/09/29/11188161.html