Guelph, Ont. – CUPE Local 1334, Trades, Maintenance and Service Workers at the University of Guelph have ratified a new collective agreement. A tentative agreement was reached after an extremely difficult bargaining period and past the official strike deadline.
“Our members have ratified this new collective agreement,” said Janice Folk-Dawson, president of CUPE 1334. “However, our negotiations were tiresome and problematic and while our local ratified this new contract our members are not happy with the results.
“Our employer, a university that teaches young minds to think creatively played a dangerous game by keeping unacceptable concessions on the table until the very last minute.
“My members have been very clear with me – they are not prepared to be mistreated by our employer again. We are crucial to the smooth operation of the university and the health and safety of students and staff alike. We will not be bullied and we will not accept concessions that we have fought so hard to win.
“On another, more positive note I’d like to thank all those who were so supportive and helpful during our negotiations – students, other unions, other university staff and students, Guelph faculty and of course our community at large. We were joined at the information picket, and at our solidarity rally, by many, many supporters and we received many letters and e-mails of support all of which were sincerely appreciated.
“We would be extremely remiss not to let all our supports know how much we appreciated them and to extend our thanks,” Folk-Dawson concluded.
CUPE 1334 Trades, Maintenance and Service workers are the employees who keep the university operating efficiently, keep the university clean, keep the standard of health and safety Ontario universities have come to expect.
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For further information, please contact:
Janice Folk-Dawson Wendy Forbes
President CUPE 1334 CUPE Communications Rep.
519 766-8376 (cell) 416 292-3999
519 836-5470 (union office)