Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

CUPE 4425, representing workers at the Renfrew County Housing Corporation, is asking supporters to join their Fax / E-mail campaign to get the Employer back to the bargaining table and avoid a lock out of the Union.

Wages are not a major issue in this dispute. The County of Renfrew, through its Housing Corporation is pushing the members of CUPE 4425 toward a lock out. The County has tabled massive takeaways to the collective agreement, including:


  • Cutting the employer share of benefit premiums from 100% to 75%


  • Cutting the scope and amount of health benefits being provided


  • Eliminating the long term disability plan


  • Gutting the layoff and recall provisions


  • Eliminating benefits for part-time employees


  • Reducing vacation entitlements


  • Eliminating the E.I. top up for pregnancy leave


  • Re-writing the seniority provisions

The County is arguing that the changes are necessary to standardize the CUPE 4425 collective agreement with the benefits of other workers in the County. But many of the Employer’s takeaways would put CUPE 4425 members at levels below those of even non-union staff!

The Union is also seeking job security provisions – such as protection against contracting out of our work. The Employer is vehemently opposed.

Please e-mail a letter to members of the Renfrew County Council, The Mayor of the Town of Renfrew and the Mayor of the City of Pembroke. Get your members to do the same. Tell the Councillors to get back to the bargaining table. Tell them it is ridiculous to demand major concessions and expect wholesale changes in a collective agreement over one round of bargaining.

The County of Renfrew is trying to break this union. Workers in the Ottawa and Renfrew area need to stand together. Otherwise Ottawa Valley employers will not stop with the Renfrew Housing Corporation.

If you want to get involved further, please contact the CUPE 4425 Vice President, Frances Herbert at 613-623-4364 or the CUPE Rep, Susan Arab, at 613-237-0115 x 233.