VANCOUVER – Vancouver outside workers are outraged that once again, the City of Vancouver has refused to bargain with them, despite making a big deal about calling the workers back to the table as they prepared yesterday to issue a 72-hour strike notice.
“The City said today that they were finally going to bargain and that they had some ‘flexibility’,” said Mike Jackson, president of CUPE 1004. “Instead, they did not even respond to a single proposal, did not have a package to present to us and just left, without a word – they didn’t even agree to any further bargaining dates.”
Jackson said that the City’s actions today only confirm the Local’s suspicions that the City of Vancouver is trying to force the workers on strike. “This could be part of a strategy to force us on strike to help pay for the Olympics…why else would they refuse to bargain?”
Job action, which will begin with a ban on overtime work, could begin as early as Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 11:00 a.m.
In addition to a fair wage increase for all members, says CUPE 1004 president Mike Jackson, the Union is seeking wage adjustments for positions in the trades, improvements for temporary full-time workers, and progress on other issues.
CUPE 1004’s last collective agreement expired on December 31, 2006. The Union recently held a strike vote that resulted in 96 per cent support. During any job action, essential services related to public health and safety as set by the Labour Relations Board will be maintained.
CUPE 1004 represents outside workers of the City of Vancouver and the Board of Parks and Recreation, including lifeguards employed on City beaches. The Local also represents workers at the Pacific National Exhibition Board (including Playland), Parking Corporation of Vancouver, Downtown Eastside Housing and Residents Association, Portland Hotel Society, Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of B.C., and Co-Development Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Mike Jackson, CUPE 1004 President, 778-908-8070
Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, 778-229-0258