WOODSTOCK, Ont. – Negotiators for Local 1146 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 34 office, clerical and technical employees at Community Care Access Centre-Oxford, will ask the ministry of Labour to get involved in contract negotiations, after management walked away from the bargaining table on Monday, June 19th.
“The consultant hired by CCAC management, from Barcon Consulting, led her negotiation committee of two CCAC employer representatives out of the room, after CUPE raised questions about the employer’s position on union proposals to deal with the upcoming merger of five area CCACs, recently announced by the McGuinty government,” said Linda Thurston-Neeley, CUPE national representative.
“Management’s behaviour is wasting tax dollars and resources that have been set aside for negotiations,” said Thurston-Neeley. “Employees are very concerned about the future of services in our communities, with the merger of five CCACs. It is unacceptable for the employer to refuse to discuss these matters and to abandon all attempts to resolve these important issues that have an impact on our members and the community.”
CUPE negotiators have been frustrated by management’s lack of respect for the negotiating process. Meetings have often been cancelled and agreed upon dates have not been respected by the employer and their representatives. The workers’ last collective agreement expired on March 31st, 2006.
“We are trying to sort out issues that will have a real impact on long-term care services in our community,” said Thurston-Neeley. “It’s unfortunate the Executive Director has chosen not to be involved in negotiations.”
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For further information, please contact:
Linda Thurston-Neeley
CUPE National Representative
519-743-7781