TORONTO Cleaners at the Toronto-Dominion Centre, on strike for almost three weeks, rejected a tentative agreement with Hurley Corporation at a ratification meeting last night. Almost two-thirds of the members of CUPE Local 2295 voted against the agreement.
“These workers are sending a clear message that they need to see some significant improvements in their wages and benefits,” said CUPE National Representative Joan Stephenson. “They are prepared to endure the cold weather and financial hardship to get a better deal.”
Outstanding in the dispute are monetary issues and benefits. The increase offered by the employer was divided between the hourly wage about $9.50 at present and a so-called attendance bonus, an amount based on actual hours worked and paid out every six months. The workers want to see all increases added to base wages, not the bonus.
Sick benefits are another key issue. Under Hurley Corporation’s two-tier system, workers hired before 2000 are entitled to 1 sick days per month at full pay and a payout at the end of the year for any days not used. Newer employees come under a short-term disability plan that allows them to apply for benefits after three days of illness. The benefits, if approved, pay only 66⅔% of wages. Workers must also present proof of illness, which means paying for a doctor’s letter that can cost as much as five hours’ wages.
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For more information, contact:
Miguel Malta, Vice-President
CUPE Local 2295
416-269-8809
Maria Coelho
Local 2295 Strike Committee
416-652-6911
Joan Stephenson
CUPE National Representative
416-606-1793 (cell)
416-292-3999 (office)
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications
416-616-6142 (cell)
416-292-3999 (office)
“These workers are sending a clear message that they need to see some significant improvements in their wages and benefits,” said CUPE National Representative Joan Stephenson. “They are prepared to endure the cold weather and financial hardship to get a better deal.”
Outstanding in the dispute are monetary issues and benefits. The increase offered by the employer was divided between the hourly wage about $9.50 at present and a so-called attendance bonus, an amount based on actual hours worked and paid out every six months. The workers want to see all increases added to base wages, not the bonus.
Sick benefits are another key issue. Under Hurley Corporation’s two-tier system, workers hired before 2000 are entitled to 1 sick days per month at full pay and a payout at the end of the year for any days not used. Newer employees come under a short-term disability plan that allows them to apply for benefits after three days of illness. The benefits, if approved, pay only 66⅔% of wages. Workers must also present proof of illness, which means paying for a doctor’s letter that can cost as much as five hours’ wages.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Miguel Malta, Vice-President
CUPE Local 2295
416-269-8809
Maria Coelho
Local 2295 Strike Committee
416-652-6911
Joan Stephenson
CUPE National Representative
416-606-1793 (cell)
416-292-3999 (office)
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications
416-616-6142 (cell)
416-292-3999 (office)