NELSON Locked out city workers made a settlement offer to the city of Nelson today that was first proposed by two members of the community and published in the Nelson Daily News. The offer calls for an immediate end to the lockout.
The six steps to solving the labour dispute were written by Nelson Daily News columnist Stephen Fowler and Sjeng Derkx from Co-op Radio and published over the past week.
Weve been seeking a community solution to this dispute and we believe this is it. It certainly does not satisfy us in all regards, but it does protect core city services for the next two years while the community has a chance to have input on the future of Nelsons public services. said Bev LaPointe, CUPE 339 President.
The six steps outline that the parties put aside their differences on the contentious minimum staffing clause language and end the lockout. A two-year contract is signed, largely as recommended by Vince Ready, with a commitment from the city to have an independent assessment done on efficiencies and seek public input on how they may be achieved through the Official Community Plan process and public referendum.
This gives the community a chance to decide on principles for public service delivery without the hardship and divisive pressure of a lockout hanging over everyones head, said LaPointe. Were optimistic this settlement offer will be accepted and well be able to move forward as a community.
Both on and off the record, we have done all we feel is possible to bring this lockout to an end and look forward to once again providing the services that the residents of Nelson expect and deserve.
CUPE 339 represents the city of Nelsons 74 city workers who, prior to the lockout, provided quality public services to the community.
Contact:
Bev LaPointe, President, CUPE Local 339, (250)354-7975;
Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, (778)229-0258.