CUPE 160 members representing outside workers in the city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan will be conducting a strike vote today.
“The city continues to seek numerous concessions, and the current wage mandate is well below the rate of inflation,” said Leslie Mourot Bartley, president of CUPE 160. “Without movement from the city, we will be at a stalemate. We believe that a strong strike mandate is needed to motivate our employer to settle.”
As of October 31, 2023, the average wage settlement in Canada reached in 2023 is 3.7% per year (up .8 since July 31).
- Federal Government – 12% over 4 years
- City of Burnaby – 11.5% over 3 years
- Greater City of Sudbury – 12% over 4 years
- City of Fredericton – 5.38% in 2023 (then rate of inflation for the next 3 years)
- City of Terrace – 14.5% over 5 years
- City of Rossland – 9.5% over 3 years
- Town of Wakaw – 17% over 4 years
- Town of Creighton – 9% over 3 years
- Town of Biggar – 16% over 4 years
- Town of Watrous - 12% over 3 years
- Town of Kindersley – 17% over 5 years
While the local is conducting a strike vote, they will not be in a legal strike position for some time.
“We have many steps to complete before any job action could commence,” added Mourot Bartley. “But the City of Prince Albert needs to realize that their current approach to labour relations is failing.”
CUPE 160 represents workers at the water treatment plant, waste water treatment plant, sanitation department, parks and recreation, roadways, rink operation staff, janitors at all city facilities, fleet mechanics, airport maintenance workers, and cemetery staff.
CUPE 882 strike continues
Meanwhile, the City of Prince Albert is refusing to bargain with their inside workers, who have been on strike since September 11, 2023.
The full withdrawal of services has impacted service levels at City Hall, EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, Frank Dunn Pool, Alfred Jenkins Field House, and the Art Hauser Centre.