REGINA, SK - The unions representing nearly 1,700 Regina civic workers notified the city this morning their members are prepared to commence job action on August 22, if the employer continues to stall contract negotiations.
Earlier this month, CUPE and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 588 promised Regina residents that they would remain on the job during Canada Summer Games, which takes place in Regina from August 6 – 20.
“Our dispute is with the employer, not the hundreds of young athletes or volunteers who want to ensure the games are a success,” said Eva McKaeff, President of CUPE Local 7, which represents about 220 ‘inside’ city workers.
Although the Regina mayor welcomed the news and suggested both sides return to the bargaining table, the city continued to stall contract talks and, until the strike notice was served today, had not proposed any new bargaining dates.
Tim Anderson, President of CUPE Local 21, says the membership of all three civic locals intend to keep their promise to Regina residents and remain on the job during the Canada Summer Games. “We intend to work hard to ensure the games are a gold medal event for Regina.”
But, he says, if the city continues its shoddy performance at the bargaining table, the 1,300 members of his local – now in a legal strike position following a decision by the Labour Relations Board yesterday – are prepared to commence job action once the games are over.
John McCormick, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union, says the city has had ample time and opportunity to negotiate contract settlements with its unionized workforce. “It’s really appalling that after 18 months, we still don’t have contract settlements in place. We can only hope that the imposition of a strike deadline will motivate the employer to return to the bargaining table and negotiate fair agreements.”
For more information contact:
Tim Anderson
(306) 352-8282 or (306) 591-0730
Eva McKaeff
(306) 777-7003
John McCormick
(306) 537-5351