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City of London outside workers went on strike July 20 to settle an eight-year inequity, and improve wages and hours of work.

The eight-year inequity? Since 1993, when the workers from the Public Utility Commission and the former town of Westminster were merged with the city workforce, different members of the union have received different benefits. Despite their best efforts to resolve this issue, the city has refused to budge.

The 700 members of CUPE 107 are clear they are no longer willing to tolerate two classes of membership. As well, the citys wage offer and hours of work provisions fell short of what the members are demanding.

Naturally enough, when all city services are affected, some are more obvious to the public than others. In this hot July, cutting out garbage pick-up has raised health concerns, the closure of local pools and golf courses and the fact that London is set to host the Canada Summer Games in August, all combine to put extra pressure on management for a settlement.