St. Catharines, Ont. – Humane Society workers in Lincoln County, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are prepared to take strike action over management’s concession demands in contract talks. The workers are facing a strike deadline of February 14, 2008.
“This employer has shown no respect for their employees,” said Mike Stokes, CUPE national representative for CUPE Local 1287. “Management tabled a long list of concessions with a monetary proposal that is an insult to our members and the services they provide.”
CUPE 1287 represents 13 animal control, adoption and attendant service workers at the Lincoln County Humane Society, serving the communities of St. Catharines, Thorold, Beamsville, Vineland, Grimsby and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“Our members help a lot of animals and provide adoption services, placing pets with families in our community, yet they are treated poorly in their own workplace,” said Stokes. “We are urging board members and funders of the agency to hold management accountable, and ask why they would allow workers to be treated this badly, and risk a strike that would put animals in jeopardy.”
Mediation talks are scheduled for Tuesday, February 12. The workers’ last contract expired on December 31, 2005.
-30-
Mike Stokes James Chai
CUPE National Rep. CUPE Communications
905-641-3051 416-292-3999