The Halifax Civic Workers Union - with 1,250 members - has voted overwhelmingly to join CUPE.
Following a trial nine-month service agreement, the civic workers voted 96% to merge with CUPE. The vote was 668 to 25.
The merger means that CUPE now represents municipal workers in all 10 Canadian provincial capitals - and most other large and small communities across Canada.
Representing 600 municipal employees, 600 Halifax Regional School Board employees and about 50 staff with the Human Resources Development Agency, the Local’s next challenge is to negotiate a first contract with the new Halifax Regional Municipality.
Gary Beaman, Local 108 president, said: “This merger gives our members the clout and professional support they need to negotiate strongly with the new municipality. Small independent unions can no longer cope with tactics used today by large, aggressive employers such as the HRM.”
“With CUPE, we will have a full range of services available to support our negotiators at the bargaining table. It will put us on an even playing field with the municipality and the school board which are two of the largest employers in the province.
“Overwhelmingly, this vote shows that our members are united and determined to win a fair settlement with job security after going without an increase of any kind since 1991.
“We have done our part to help this municipality through difficult financial times. Now it’s time for the municipality to treat us fairly and we are going to make sure that this happens.”