NORTH BAY – Talks came to a dramatic end today when North Bay Hydro withdrew its offer and said there was no point continuing discussions, says the union representing striking North Bay Hydro workers, members of Local 72 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Thirty-five members at the utility have been on strike since July 4th.
“The employer tabled an offer this morning that was worse than the one that put us on strike,” says CUPE 72 president Ken Hull. “Nevertheless, we made a response to start a dialogue – that’s when management pulled the plug, withdrew their offer and shut down the talks.”
“This employer obviously has no intention of settling this strike,” says CUPE National Representative Jo-Ann Breton. “They didn’t even address the central issue of benefits for retirees and refuse to even discuss it.”
“We should have known they weren’t serious about ending the strike – they were still training new scabs and that means they intend to prolong the strike,” added Hull.
“We’re disappointed but not deterred,” says Breton. “With the support we’ve received from the community, we will continue our fight and we urge residents to turn the pressure on at city council.”
The next council meeting is on Monday, August 26th, at 7:00 p.m. and CUPE will be there to address our elected representatives.
“It’s more important than ever for residents to call the mayor’s office and local councillors – tell them the buck stops with them,” says Hull. “They are ultimately responsible for this and they have the power to step in and put an end to this dispute.”
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For further information, please contact:
Ken Hull, President CUPE Local 72
705-472-1054
Jo-Ann Breton, CUPE National Rep.
705-474-9765 - 705-363-8441 (cell)
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999
“The employer tabled an offer this morning that was worse than the one that put us on strike,” says CUPE 72 president Ken Hull. “Nevertheless, we made a response to start a dialogue – that’s when management pulled the plug, withdrew their offer and shut down the talks.”
“This employer obviously has no intention of settling this strike,” says CUPE National Representative Jo-Ann Breton. “They didn’t even address the central issue of benefits for retirees and refuse to even discuss it.”
“We should have known they weren’t serious about ending the strike – they were still training new scabs and that means they intend to prolong the strike,” added Hull.
“We’re disappointed but not deterred,” says Breton. “With the support we’ve received from the community, we will continue our fight and we urge residents to turn the pressure on at city council.”
The next council meeting is on Monday, August 26th, at 7:00 p.m. and CUPE will be there to address our elected representatives.
“It’s more important than ever for residents to call the mayor’s office and local councillors – tell them the buck stops with them,” says Hull. “They are ultimately responsible for this and they have the power to step in and put an end to this dispute.”
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Ken Hull, President CUPE Local 72
705-472-1054
Jo-Ann Breton, CUPE National Rep.
705-474-9765 - 705-363-8441 (cell)
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999