OTTAWA, ON – After trying to bargain for some sick time and family benefits since March 2010, a strike is looming at the food services of the former Nortel building at Moody Drive and Highway 417 in Ottawa.
The collective agreement expired at the end of March 2010, and no progress has been made at the bargaining table, which is unacceptable according to Maureen Pomeroy, president of Local 3190 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). CUPE Local 3190 represents 24 food services employees at Compass Group of Canada Ltd.
“The employer did not respond to the Ministry of Labour mediator’s request for a meeting last week, so we have asked for a ‘no board’,” said Pomeroy
“We used to have 12 sick days with our previous employer, Marriott. Compass took over the food contract last year and they eliminated the sick day benefits all together in our collective agreement, so we are trying to get them back. Management knew months ago that we would be asking for this benefit back at the bargaining table but they did not offer anything during two weeks of conciliation,” said Andy Mele, CUPE National Representative.
“Strike deadline is October 15, 2010 at 12:01 a.m., and the workers are ready to walk out to show they are serious about negotiating. We are asking the employer to do the same, and return to the bargaining table,” said Mele.
For more information, contact:
Andy Mele
CUPE National Representative
613-816-2125
Christian Martel
CUPE Communications Representative
647-270-6775