(Toronto) - Some 100 school board workers with the Conseil Scolaire Catholique de district des Grandes Rivir0065 (Grandes Rivir0065 Catholic School Board) have voted 98% in favour of strike action to back contract demands.
The school custodial and maintenance workers in Northeastern Ontario are members of CUPE Local 7777. The French, Catholic school board stretches from Hearst to New Liskeard.
Outstanding issues in the dispute include:
- Harmonization of wages as a result of amalgamation;
- A Board demand for major concessions to benefits;
- No wage increase in six years for the majority of members;
- A Board demand for a five-year deal with no retroactivity (The old contract expired in January, 1999).
CUPE Local 7777 has now asked for a No Board report from the Ministry of Labour, which would start the clock ticking toward a strike deadline.
Mediation is scheduled for later this month.
For information:
Roger Loiselle, CUPE National Rep.
(705) 264-1269 (o)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep
(416) 292-3999 (o)