Normal operations have resumed at Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) after striking custodians, groundskeepers and tradespeople voted yesterday (Sunday, July 17, 2016) to ratify a new collective agreement.
“This has been a very difficult experience for our members who stood on the picket line, and I’m so proud of them for standing up for principles that don’t just affect them – they affect each and every member of this campus and this community,” said Allan Savard, president of Local 926 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 926).
“They fought hard to protect job security language that maintains stable, secure, good jobs that support communities, and we will continue to stand against precarious work that harms communities,” he added.
The members of CUPE 926 were forced to go on strike July 10 after WLU unilaterally imposed unacceptable terms and conditions upon them.
Savard said CUPE 926 will continue to advocate for stable, secure, good jobs at WLU and throughout Waterloo Region.
“Students, faculty and the broader WLU community, can rest assured that we are committed to this campus. Our members will continue to go the extra mile to make WLU a quality learning environment where students can thrive,” said Savard.
“We expect (WLU President) Max Blouw, and this university, to be more than just a leading employer in this community. This university needs to be a responsible employer and it ought to be a model employer,” he added.
For more information, please contact:
Allan Savard, CUPE 926 President, 519-501-5025
Matthew Stella, CUPE Communications, 905-739-3999