AMHERST - Ten workers at Autumn House womens shelter (Cumberland County Transition House) have been forced to go on strike after their employer abruptly cancelled their collective agreement.
This is completely unprecedented, says Terry Goulding, the staff representative for CUPE Local 4326, which represents the women.
On Friday, the union served notice that it would strike on August 28, if a new collective agreement couldnt be reached. Rather than try to negotiate a fair settlement, Autumn Houses
Board of Directors decided earlier today to cancel the terms of the current collective agreement, and arbitrarily declare new conditions of employment. Says Goulding: Ive been working in the labour movement since 1976, and Ive never known an employer to use that option.
We never wanted to go on strike, says Terry Cove, president of CUPE local 4326, but now the employer has given us no choice.
The workers of Autumn House operate a womens crisis line, and provide round-the-clock counseling and support services to battered women. Theyre not just throwing the workers out onto the street, says Cove. What about the women were trying to help?
For information:
Terry Cove, President CUPE local 4326, (902) 667-7314 (h)
Terry Goulding, CUPE National Representative, (902) 752-2244 (o), (902) 396-7224 (c)
This is completely unprecedented, says Terry Goulding, the staff representative for CUPE Local 4326, which represents the women.
On Friday, the union served notice that it would strike on August 28, if a new collective agreement couldnt be reached. Rather than try to negotiate a fair settlement, Autumn Houses
Board of Directors decided earlier today to cancel the terms of the current collective agreement, and arbitrarily declare new conditions of employment. Says Goulding: Ive been working in the labour movement since 1976, and Ive never known an employer to use that option.
We never wanted to go on strike, says Terry Cove, president of CUPE local 4326, but now the employer has given us no choice.
The workers of Autumn House operate a womens crisis line, and provide round-the-clock counseling and support services to battered women. Theyre not just throwing the workers out onto the street, says Cove. What about the women were trying to help?
For information:
Terry Cove, President CUPE local 4326, (902) 667-7314 (h)
Terry Goulding, CUPE National Representative, (902) 752-2244 (o), (902) 396-7224 (c)