Residents of the Township of Malahide, ON, could be without the services of their outside municipal workers as early as 12:01 a.m. later tonight, June 29, as management could potentially lock out their own workers if mediation talks with management today fail to produce a settlement, warned the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing the 14 public roads maintenance workers.
“All our members want is to be treated fairly and with respect,” said Catherine Robinson, CUPE national representative. “All we want is to be treated the same way that the township treated their management staff. Instead, they’ve chosen to treat our members as second class citizens with an unfair offer, triggering a lockout situation that could jeopardize the maintenance of Malahide roads.”
The outside workers maintain public roads, trees and grass, and are responsible for patrolling the roads as well as flood and snow monitoring in case of inclement weather. The workers have been without a contract since December 31, 2012.
“Our members work hard to ensure the roads are maintained properly and safely for our residents and visitors, and it troubles us when management creates a situation that could lead to locking out their workers and shutting down services that affect residents,” continued Robinson.
“We’re back at the bargaining table with the help of a provincially-appointed mediator, and we remain hopeful that the employer will come back to reach a deal and ensure the continuation of roads services in this township.”
For more information, please contact:
Catherine Robinson, CUPE National Representative, 226-236-2735
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 905-739-3999