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Winnipeg Unless the River East School Division gets back into discussions, CUPE says there is no possible way a settlement can be reached to end a strike by bus drivers, mechanics and a storeskeeper that is now in its 14th day.

CUPE initiated the discussions held on Wednesday, said CUPE staff representative Mark Kernaghan. But the School Division left the talks for their Board meeting and we havent heard from them since. Superintendent John Carlyle told the media there was good conversation. Well if thats so then why arent talks continuing?

He said CUPE has made all the overtures it can to get negotiations moving but the School Division doesnt seem concerned about finding a solution.

Parents and students need to know that the ball is in River Easts court, Kernaghan said. In order for a settlement to be reached, both parties have to be talking and working out an agreement. That just isnt happening.

The CUPE employees say without the present no contracting out language in their current collective agreement, it would be impossible to hold the School Division to its promises not to contract out their work.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canadas largest union representing more than 485,000 women and men across the country. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 23,000 members in health care, education, municipalities, social services, utilities, libraries and emergency services.

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For more information, please contact:
Mark Kernaghan, CUPE Temporary Staff Representative
Phone: (204) 942-0343 ex. 290

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