Contract talks between CUPE Local 1289 and the City of St. John’s have broken off.
The main stumbling block is contract language, which deals with temporary job postings.
The current collective agreement provides for a period of eight weeks before temporary jobs are posted. The city is seeking to significantly extend that time frame.
CUPE National Representative Ed White says, “The City’s current proposal is unacceptable. It will put our members at a disadvantage by eliminating job opportunities for advancement. We are not prepared to put our members in that position.”
White says, “We have made a move which we feel is reasonable and actually exceeds public sector language but the City has dug in its heels.”
The local will be applying to the Department of Labour to ask that a Conciliator be assigned to help find a solution.
CUPE Local 1289 represents over 385 municipal inside workers including clerical, parking enforcement, electricians, inspectors, assessors and recreation staff.