ELLIOT LAKE Inside and outside municipal workers in Elliot Lake are ready to hit the bricks April 5th after talks broke off between the municipality and Local 170 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 55 municipal workers offering road maintenance, water treatment and sewage services, parks and arena maintenance, office, clerical and other inside and outside services.
Weve been frustrated with the slow pace of talks and managements lack of good will, says Richard Bull, president of CUPE Local 170. Our proposals would not impact on taxpayers because costs would be less than the value of a pension contribution holiday the municipality has enjoyed with the OMERS municipal pension plan since 1997.
Particularly vexing is the municipalitys efforts to circumvent the collective bargaining process by applying to the Ministry of Labour for a forced vote on their final contract offer, says Steve Boyle, CUPE National Representative. Our members reaffirmed their support for the bargaining committee at a meeting last night with over 95% in attendance a forced vote would be union bashing and a total waste of time.
Were calling on the municipality of Elliot Lake to get back to the table and negotiate in good faith, adds Bull. Well do everything we can to avoid a strike, but were prepared to walk if thats what it takes.
Outstanding issues include the term of the collective agreement, wages, and benefits for retirees.
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For further information, please contact:
Richard Bull, President, Local 170,
(705) 562-6882
Steve Boyle, CUPE National Rep.
(705) 949-6221
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
(416) 292-3999