REGINA – CUPE Local 650, 3766, and 4643 members are sending their bargaining teams back to the table with a strong strike mandate after the final local voted this Saturday. The union bargaining teams are seeking the same average percentage increases that teachers and non-union support staff at Regina Public School Board received.
All three locals held strike votes last week with results coming in at 87 per cent (CUPE 3766), 82 per cent (CUPE 4643), and 96 per cent (CUPE 650) in favour of taking strike action if needed.
The union bargaining teams are seeking the same average percentage increases that teachers and non-union support staff at Regina Public School Board received.
“Nobody wants to go on strike,” says CUPE 3766 President Jackie Christianson. “We’re hopeful that bringing in an outside conciliator will make a difference.”
The school board suggested bringing in a conciliator and the union locals wholeheartedly agreed. Conciliator Doug Forseth is being asked to help with negotiations.
“We were pleased that the board suggested a conciliator because we need to be talking and to be at the table in order to reach a fair agreement,” says CUPE 650 President Pete Prosofsky.
“We’re only asking for fairness,” says CUPE 4643 President Paula Branscombe. “Our members are dedicated workers. Why should they be valued less than others?”
Contract agreements expired on December 31, 2010 and the three locals have been at the bargaining table since the spring of 2011, although with minimal face-to-face time.
For more information contact:
Jackie Christianson, CUPE 3766 President: 550-7227
Elaine Ehman, CUPE National Representative: 533-8029