Plummer Additional, Ont. Local 3 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing three municipal workers in Plummer Additional, has started the countdown toward a legal strike deadline, after talks with management broke off yesterday (Monday, March 14) without reaching a contract settlement.
Some of us have been working here for 25 years on a Monday to Friday schedule, and now management wants to re-define our work week to avoid paying overtime on Sundays, said Paul Discher, unit vice-president of CUPE Local 3 for Plummer Additional workers.
The workers provide all municipal services in the community of Plummer Additional, including roads maintenance, clearing, culvert repair, grading, snow ditching to avoid floods and other repairs, as well as clerical services.
The issue of wages also remains unresolved. Mediation talks, scheduled for March 29th, are seen as the last chance for management to avoid a strike.
We urge area residents to contact local councillors, said CUPE National Representative Christine Bird. Tell them to treat the workers with respect and prevent a strike. Our members want to continue to serve the people of Plummer Additional with dignity and pride.
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For further information, please contact:
Christine Bird, CUPE National Representative Sault Ste Marie Office - (705) 949-6221
Paul Discher, CUPE Local 3 VP - (705) 785-3809
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications-(416) 292-3999 COPE491:phw