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HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY – CUPE municipal workers with the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador have committed to the Town that the union will abide by a Letter of Intent that is part of their current contract, on what services will be provided if there is a work stoppage.

CUPE National Representative Ed White says, “The letter does not reference Essential or Emergency services. It does say that the union will provide one snow-clearing cut throughout all streets.”

“It also indicates that the union will provide water and sewer services, but only after management has made attempts to correct problems. While firefighting is not included in the letter, our members have indicated that they will respond to fires,” explains White.

White says the union attempted to negotiate an Emergency Services Agreement but could not agree to terms that the Town was seeking. “Their terms would have left us in a position that would see little disruption in service in the event of a work stoppage,” says White.

“It seems the Town has expended more energy in trying to reach what they call an ‘Essential Services Agreement’ than in trying to reach a deal at the bargaining table,” says White.

CUPE says it has put forward a proposal on the outstanding pension issue that helps mitigate future risk to the Town. It says the pension plan is being funded at a healthy 109% on what is called a ‘going concern’ basis.

The members of Local 2019 have voted 96% in favour of job action to back their Bargaining Committee’s position in contract talks with the Town.