High Prairie - The employees at Pleasantview Lodge in High Prairie voted last night to request binding arbitration to resolve their ongoing dispute with their employer, Heart River Housing.
“The employees at Pleasantview Lodge are looking for a fair and equitable conclusion to their ongoing attempts to negotiate a first collective agreement,” said Doug Luellman, CUPE national representative.
“Management does not recognize the importance of the work these people do and their right to be treated accordingly. There is a lot at stake in this dispute. It’s about fairness, respect and the right to be represented in a union. We believe management has stalled in the entire negotiations process in an attempt to break the union,” added Luellman.
The employees include the activity coordinator, housekeepers, cooks, and maintenance staff. The decision to request arbitration comes after months of failed negotiations. Earlier this week the Local voted on taking strike action. The result was split.
“No one likes a strike and for good reason. Strikes create hardship for the people who live at the lodge and they create hardship for the people on strike themselves. But these employees are determined to get a fair contract. At this point we think arbitration is the answer,” said Luellman.
“Given the valuable service the members of CUPE Local 838 perform for the seniors and the people in this community, fairness is not a lot to ask,” said Luellman.
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CUPE is Canada’s largest union with over half a million women and men who provide public services. In Alberta, CUPE’s 31,000 members work in health care, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, libraries, emergency medical services, social services and casinos. Visit our CUPE website for more information cupealberta.ab.ca
For further information:
Doug Luellman, CUPE National Representative
(780) 402-9113 (cellular)
Pam Beattie, CUPE Communications
(780) 288-1230 (cellular)