QUESNEL, B.C. Municipal workers in Quesnel, members of CUPE local 1050, slam-dunked the employers final offer at a membership meeting yesterday. Members voted unanimously to reject the offer. They also directed their negotiating team to request the labour relations board appoint a mediator.
The final offer, tabled on Thursday after three days of bargaining, falls far short of other regional settlements. In the area of wages alone, the package is 3% less that the standard wage pattern in the region.
Theres no way our members will accept second class treatment, says CUPE local president George Natalizio, adding the employers final offer was insulting.
CUPE staff representative Bernie Schneider says the memberships powerful rejection vote should send a strong message to Mayor Steve Wallace and council that the direction they have given their city negotiating committee is unacceptable. They either adopt a reasonable position at the bargaining table, or face the consequences, he said.
Schneider said he expects the local will be in mediation by October.
If a fair and equitable settlement isnt achieved through mediation, the local will be taking a strike vote, he stated.
The 120 CUPE members in local 1050 provide a variety of municipal services, ranging from garbage collection to recreation.
- 30 -
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bernie Schneider CUPE National Representative:
(250) 565-8983
George Natalizio, President Local 1050:
(250) 992-0038
The final offer, tabled on Thursday after three days of bargaining, falls far short of other regional settlements. In the area of wages alone, the package is 3% less that the standard wage pattern in the region.
Theres no way our members will accept second class treatment, says CUPE local president George Natalizio, adding the employers final offer was insulting.
CUPE staff representative Bernie Schneider says the memberships powerful rejection vote should send a strong message to Mayor Steve Wallace and council that the direction they have given their city negotiating committee is unacceptable. They either adopt a reasonable position at the bargaining table, or face the consequences, he said.
Schneider said he expects the local will be in mediation by October.
If a fair and equitable settlement isnt achieved through mediation, the local will be taking a strike vote, he stated.
The 120 CUPE members in local 1050 provide a variety of municipal services, ranging from garbage collection to recreation.
- 30 -
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bernie Schneider CUPE National Representative:
(250) 565-8983
George Natalizio, President Local 1050:
(250) 992-0038