City workers in Estevan, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 726, are refusing to work overtime to support their contract demands for a modest wage increase. The overtime ban began at 4:30 p.m. today and includes after-hour emergency calls.
The 65 employees are seeking an annual increase of 3% over three years, after settling for little or no wage increases for the past 15 years. The unionized employees have lost nearly 12% in real wages since 1985.
Kevin Keating, President of CUPE Local 726, says employees are dismayed by Councils attitude at the bargaining table. City Councillors have voted to give themselves increases of 40% [in wages, perks and benefits] in the last two years, but they are refusing to give us what amounts to the cost-of-living. Its incredible.
The overtime ban represents the third time in the last five months that the municipal workers in Estevan have taken job action to support their wage demand.
For more information, contact Kevin Keating at 634-6343