The union representing Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska municipal workers will explore all legal venues to have the tentative agreement reached last month with the municipality respected.
CUPE Local 4576 is appalled with the Municipal Council’s rejection last night of the tentative agreement negotiated on behalf of the Council by the Mayor Guy Bellefleur and Counsellor Diane Martin.
“Mayor Bellefleur and Counsellor Martin negotiated and signed the tentative agreement in the presence of a mediator and the Union. This agreement was reached after two days of intense negotiations. The Mayor and the Councilor gave their word to the union and the mediator they would recommend its adoption to the Municipal Council”, said Gérald LeBlanc, CUPE Representative.
“Last night, the Council unanimously voted down the agreement with no debate or discussion about it. The Mayor and the Councilor who negotiated the agreement did not keep their word. This is clearly a case of bad faith bargaining.”
“CUPE intends to pursue all legal venues to have this tentative agreement respected”, concluded LeBlanc.
The two members of CUPE Local 4576 have been locked out since June 2010.