Lindsay, Ont. – The City of Kawartha Lakes municipal strike, affecting schools, roads, arenas and other municipal services, will continue because management refused to work with the union to find common ground to resolve the 19-day strike. A meeting between management and union representatives on Thursday night ended when it became apparent that management had not moved from their final position of February 4, when the strike began.
“We are extremely disappointed and frustrated with management’s inflexibility and arrogance,” said Lyn Edwards, CUPE 855 president. “It’s their way or no way, and after almost three weeks of strike, management’s position had not changed an inch, that kind of attitude will only prolong this dispute.”
“Unfortunately public services in our community will continue to suffer and be held hostage by management’s arrogant behaviour,” said Edwards. “Management wasted an opportunity to move this discussion forward to help end this strike. Instead they wouldn’t budge on any of the outstanding issues.”
CUPE 855 tried different ways to bring management back to the bargaining table, including initiating meetings with the Mayor to find common ground, and requesting financial documents from the City to find ways to work within the Council’s 10 per cent mandate. Yet, management refused to accept any of the union’s suggestions.
“Management refused to recognize the fact that their economic package is erroneous and filled with incorrect and flawed assumptions,” said Alison Davidson, CUPE national representative. “Their figures are padded to the extreme, and therefore limit the budget that’s available to address outstanding issues.”
“We believe these incorrect numbers were used to brief council and get their approval on the 10 per cent mandate,” said Davidson. “We have exposed their flawed assumptions and suggested a framework to address the outstanding issues, but they refused to work with us to find ways to get back to the table.”
“Who’s steering the ship from management’s side – a hired lawyer from Toronto or the elected officials that are supposed to run Kawartha Lakes? The Mayor and Council must take charge and end this strike,” said Edwards. “We are urging the public to call the Mayor and Councillors and tell them to get involved and show leadership by settling this strike.”
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For further information, please contact:
Lyn Edwards Alison Davidson James Chai
CUPE 855 President CUPE National Rep. CUPE Communications
705-878-2152 705-760-5113 416-292-3999