Oshawa, Ont. – In an effort to achieve a fair contract, municipal workers in the Region of Durham voted 97 per cent in favour of a strike, if a fair contract is not reached with their employer. Over 400 ‘outside’ workers, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have been without a contract since March 31, 2008.
“Our goal is to reach a fair contract,” said Dan McGregor, president of CUPE 1785. “Our strike mandate sends a clear message that we want progress at the bargaining table.”
The outside workers provide water, wastewater and sewage treatment services, maintenance of roads, water and wastewater systems, as well as collection and sorting of solid waste at transfer stations in the Durham region.
“We are hopeful that the region will come to conciliation talks with the clear intention of bargaining and addressing the outstanding issues,” continued McGregor. “We are keen to move bargaining forward and reach a settlement so our members can continue delivering important public services for Durham residents.”
Conciliation talks are scheduled for September 22. Outstanding issues include wages, benefits and job security.
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For further information, please contact:
| Dan McGregor | Joe Matasic | James Chai |
| President CUPE 1785 | CUPE National Rep. | CUPE Communications |
| 905-261-8354 | 905-433-4760 | 416-292-3999 |
| 905-439-1270 |