SYDNEY, N.S. Picket lines went up at 7 a.m. on April 3 at schools throughout the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board (CBVRSB).
Members of CUPE Local 5050 have voted to reject a so-called final offer from their employer at two membership meetings this weekend. The offer was designed to split the membership by giving wage improvements to some classifications and not others. CUPE members strongly rejected the offer.
The union represents 1,400 workers in 44 job classifications with the CBVRSB, ranging from school secretaries, teaching assistants, lunch supervisors, bus drivers, mechanics, caretakers, cafeteria workers and more.
The main issues in dispute are wage parity measures for all members of the local, contracting out of cafeterias, job posting language for teaching assistants and pay rates for casual employees.
For information: Kathy MacLeod, CUPE National Rep., (902) 578-3304 (cell)
(902) 539-4933 (o); John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep., (902) 455-4180 (o).