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High Prairie - After one year of frustrating negotiations and failed mediation, the employees at Pleasantview Lodge have walked away from the bargaining table again. The 13 employees are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 838.

This employer is simply refusing to bargain in an effort to punish their employees for joining the union. We presented a bargaining package that is identical to the wages and benefits they pay their employees at another facility, yet they have rejected it. It does not make any sense other than a strong anti-union bias, said Maxine Copeland, CUPE National Representative.

We have filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Alberta Labour Relations Board and now we will wait to see what that process brings these hard-working people, she said. The 13 employees include the activity coordinator, housekeepers, cooks, and maintenance staff. The Labour Board hears the case February 26.

This is a very unfortunate situation and a perfect illustration of the difficulty the support staff have in achieving something as simple as fairness and respect in their employment and recognition for the valuable service they perform for seniors and for our community, said Copeland.



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CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPEs 31,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit our CUPE website for more information www.cupealberta.ab.ca

For further information:
Maxine Copeland CUPE National Representative
(780) 538-1669
Pam Beattie CUPE Communications
(780) 288-1230 (cellular)