OTTAWA After 22 days on the picket line, members of Local 4266-08 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Ottawa taxi dispatchers, ratified a new and improved collective agreement at a membership meeting last night, ending their strike which began on New Years Day.
We sure had to fight for it, but we finally have a meaningful wage increase and a benefit plan, said CUPE 4266 chief steward Donna Reaney. Were proud of our members and how they stood up to achieve these basic workers rights. Were also anxious to return to work.
The support we received from so many in our community and the labour movement helped sustain us through the bitterly cold and long days on the picket line, says Reaney. Ottawa residents will once again be able to call for a taxi with confidence, knowing they will reach a dedicated, professional call taker who knows how to get them where they need to go, quickly and safely.
CUPE is Canadas largest union, representing over half a million workers across Canada.
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For further information, please contact:
Andy Mele, CUPE National Representative
613-237-0115
613-878-4444 (cell)
Donna Reaney, Chief Steward, CUPE 4266
613-797-9806
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999
416-727-9144 (cell)