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Hamilton The union representing 2,600 municipal workers in the new City of Hamilton has worked out an agreement with city council to make sure winter operations are uninterrupted by the transition to a new city.

Winter operations include snow clearing, road maintenance and garbage collection.

CUPE Local 5167 President Gus Oliveira says, As a result of operational restrictions placed on us by the Transition Board such as a freeze on hiring and back-filling positions which are vacant CUPE and council have created a one-time memorandum of understanding to allow the city to hire Term employees.

Both CUPE and council were concerned that these essential services would continue to run unaffected during the transition period. With this provision on Term employees there will be no disruption in service, says Oliveira.

Id like to commend CUPE outside workers for doing the right thing for the community. Our members had to waive certain provisions in our contract in order for this to happen. The changes were debated and voted on by the outside workers, he says.

Term employees are expected to be in effect from November 27 to the end of March, 2001. As a result, the public will continue to enjoy uninterrupted, high quality public services during the transition period.

Says Oliveira, This will also free up the new council to concentrate on other important matters, and not have to worry about staffing provisions for the winter months.

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For information:
Gus Oliveira, President, CUPE Local 5167
(905) 522-0917 (o) - (905) 517-4105 (Cell)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep.
(416) 292-3999 (o)