CUPE members in Charlottetown are fighting to follow their work. A couple of years ago, Charlottetown city council created a non-profit board to build, operate and maintain a new $20 million sports complex at the University of Prince Edward Island campus. Problem is, despite the fact that the city is the biggest funder, committing $8.7 million, the board wants to hire non-unionized workers.
At a recent council meeting, CUPE 501 representatives argued the city should own the complex outright and staff it with well-trained, well-compensated unionized workers. We find the amount that theyre spending for a facility they wont own a single brick of is astounding, says CUPE rep Bill McKinnon. Charlottetowns new mayor, Clifford Lee, opposed the original deal for the complex but now says the city should live with the agreement.
At a recent council meeting, CUPE 501 representatives argued the city should own the complex outright and staff it with well-trained, well-compensated unionized workers. We find the amount that theyre spending for a facility they wont own a single brick of is astounding, says CUPE rep Bill McKinnon. Charlottetowns new mayor, Clifford Lee, opposed the original deal for the complex but now says the city should live with the agreement.