CUPE 1883 and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo will return to the bargaining table tomorrow with just four days remaining to reach a deal before a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Bargaining was paused for more than a month while a key member of the Region’s management team was away on an extended vacation, leaving the parties with just four days – Tuesday through Friday – to resolve outstanding issues.
“It’s deeply frustrating that we are in this position because the Region chose to delay bargaining for more than a month,” said Noelle Fletcher, president of CUPE 1883. “Our members have been ready to bargain. We could have used that time to work through the issues at the table. Now we’re in this unnecessary crunch, trying to resolve real challenges for workers and improve services for the community in just four days.”
Outstanding issues include CUPE 1883 members’ proposals to create a stable environment for the sustainable delivery of public services, including greater employment security and stronger layoff language. The members’ proposals would help protect against harmful reductions in front-line staffing and service levels after years of attrition and cuts. The Region has rejected these proposals.
“Our communities are growing. The Region wants to be home to one million people by 2050. But responsible growth requires strong public services and that means investing in the workers who deliver those services,” said Fletcher. “Our members are asking for the job security and stability they need to continue delivering the services residents rely on. The Region should have been at the bargaining table weeks ago, showing residents and members that they understand the seriousness of the issues.”
CUPE 1883 represents roughly 850 members who work across Waterloo Region in public health, housing, employment, children’s services, transit, water, planning, at the airport and in other essential services.
“Our members want to stay at work and continue serving our communities. That requires a fair agreement that protects our work and the services residents rely on,” said Fletcher. “The Region had more than a month to move bargaining forward. We now have four days left. We expect the Region to show up tomorrow, bargain seriously and do everything possible to reach a fair deal.”
