– Municipal inside workers with the City of Cornwall will be in a legal strike or lockout position at 12:01 am, June 17th, after management negotiators refused to back away from concession demands, warns the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
“It looks like city management wants to force our members out on strike,” said Bob Manny, CUPE national representative. “They’re tabling a long list of concessions and rollbacks, demanding a five-year contract, and refusing to negotiate with us on any substantive issues – essentially they want to gut our collective agreement.”
CUPE 3251 represents 125 inside workers, including social workers, water treatment workers and other inside workers. “Social assistance and safe drinking water are essential to the health and viability of our community,” said Manny. “Residents should be furious with city management for putting these services at risk.” City negotiators requested a “no-board” report to start the countdown to the June 17th strike or lockout deadline. Mediation talks have been scheduled for June 9th.
“Management has also requested a no-board report for paramedics, without an essential services agreement in place to ensure the safety of residents,” said Manny. “Management seems intent on backing us into a corner.” No date has been set for a strike deadline for paramedics, as CUPE is exploring legal options, including the possibility of arbitration to reach a collective agreement without a strike by 80 Cornwall paramedics.
“We urge residents to contact Mayor Phil Poirier and local councillors, and remind them that November’s municipal elections are just around the corner,” said Manny. “It’s time for them to get involved now, and prevent a strike before it’s too late.”
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For further information, please contact:
Bob Manny, CUPE National Representative, 613-933-5515
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999
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