April 2, 2000, VancouverThreats of legislation were not enough to force CUPEs K-12 sectoral bargaining committee to accept, on behalf of its members, an inadequate report brought down by an Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC), without the power to make meaningful decisions, to help bring about a settlement in this sector.
Barry O’Neill, president of CUPE BC said “Weve been betrayed by this government over and over again in the last eighteen months. Free collective bargaining is dead, even though as recently as the NDP leadership convention all contenders for leader promised to respect free collective bargaining. This government is breaking that promise today.”
“Government blames the “convoluted bargaining process” for its need to legislate an end to free collective bargaining, yet the same government refused to hear CUPEs pleas during the last year and a half, pleas that contained answers that would have resolved those problems.” said ONeill. “Todays proposed legislation will do nothing to bring labour peace or the important changes CUPE members were looking for in the education system.”
“CUPE members were given four minutes today to make a decision on the governments final proposala decision which the CUPE bargaining committee did not even see in writing. Meanwhile legislators have had several hours including two recesses today already, to read the governments bill. A that could see CUPE members democratic rights removed.”
Information:
Louise Leclair, Communications Representative
(604) 454-4711 or (604) 254-1188
Regular information updates regarding CUPE K-12 Sectoral Bargaining can be found at: www.cupe.bc.ca/sbc