(Sydney) – An attempt by DEVCO to offer nine security jobs as non-union positions at the soon-to-be–closed facility is a direct violation of the Federal Labour Code.
That charge comes today from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 43 DEVCO workers who were recently layed off.
CUPE National Representative, Jacquie Bramwell says CUPE members have been offered the nine positions, but as “confidential” employees. This would put them outside the scope of the bargaining unit.
Says Bramwell, “We have obtained a legal opinion which states clearly that as long as this corporation still exists – and it does – those are bargaining unit positions and must be filled by our members.
“CUPE Local 2046 does not cease to exist after December 15, 2001. Its Charter from CUPE continues in full force. This local union continues to hold the same collective bargaining rights after December 15 as it does at present. These jobs could last for months, or who knows how long,” says Bramwell.
Says Bramwell, “This employer is adding insult to injury by pulling a stunt like this. If there is security work being done at the DEVCO facility after December 15, it will be done by unionized CUPE members. If this employer thinks otherwise we will see them before the Labour Board.”
“We have asked for a meeting with DEVCO management to see if we can sort this out, and they have simply refused to meet with us,” adds the CUPE National Representative.
For further information:
Jacquie Bramwell, CUPE National Representative
(902) 539-4933 (o)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 455-4180 (o)