Councillors are reacting to the public's outrage over the weekend when workers with the TTC abruptly walked off the job Friday night, leaving people stranded.

The striking staff was mandated back to work Sunday afternoon after the Ontario legislature sat down in a rare Sunday session to pass the back-to-work legislation.

On Tuesday, a motion will be tabled at Toronto's City Council asking for the TTC to be declared an essential service. The move would effectively end the union's right to strike.

Toronto Mayor David Miller is expected to recommend the matter be discussed by the executive committee for discussion before returning to city council for debate.

Critics are concerned that the designation could end up costing the city millions of dollars. Traditionally, essential service workers receive a richer contract than non-essential workers.

"Until Ottawa and Queen's Park come back and offer an operating subsidy an essential service status would bankrupt the city," said city councillor Adam Vaughan. "I'm prepared to look at it but Ottawa and Queen's Park have to respond to the understanding that it's an essential service." Source...