November 4, l999, Burnaby, BCT006800650020Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will appeal the recent ruling by the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) which struck down a more than 80% strike vote by CUPE school support workers, members of Local 606 Cowichan Schools.
The School Board had argued that insufficient collective bargaining had taken place; at the same time it refused to continue bargaining. The BCLRB issued its decision without reasons or explanation.
Derek Caroll, vice-president of CUPE 606, a teaching assistant and member of the local whose strike vote has been denied by the LRB, expressed concern over what he perceives to be a threat to worker’s rights to negotiate.
“We’re facing the removal of rightst006800650020democratic rights to negotiate a deal.”
Information: Louise Leclair