HALIFAX – Unionized employees with Halifax Water, members of CUPE Locals 227 and 1431, have given their 48-hour notice to the Minister of Labour of their intention to withdraw their services.
The notice now starts the clock ticking toward a possible work stoppage.
CUPE Local 227 President Dave Dort says, “While we take this step very cautiously, we believe it is the next logical progression in the process. We are urging Halifax Water to get back to the bargaining table and work with us to get a negotiated settlement in this dispute.
Local 1431 President Heather Corkum, meanwhile, says, “The last thing our members want to do is go on strike, but this employer has put our backs to the wall with their demand for major concessions to a pension plan that we’ve built up over two generations of workers.
“Our objective now is to resume bargaining and a find a sensible solution to this labour dispute. It will take both parties, however, bargaining in good faith to reach that goal,” she says.
CUPE says they are willing to go back to the table beyond the 48 hours, but the ball is now in the employer’s court.
Local 227 represents 230 outside workers with Halifax Water, while Local 1431 represents 105 inside workers.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Dort
President, Local 227
902-237-0125
Heather Corkum
President, Local 143
902-209-6810
John McCracken
CUPE Communications Rep.
902-880-8057