After three months of bargaining with little progress, a No-Board Report has been filed against WE Union Travel by CUPE 3532 with the Ministry of Labour, beginning the 17-day countdown to a lockout by the Employer or a strike by its members. A strike deadline is scheduled for October 28.
WE Union Travel works exclusively with unions in Canada, CUPE being its largest client. One hundred percent of members in attendance voted in favour of a strike after the employer refused to continue negotiating a new collective agreement. WE Union Travel employs 16 members with offices in Ottawa and Vancouver.
After three months of bargaining, members of CUPE 3532 are still fighting for an equitable increase in wages, hybrid work, and sick days, which have not increased in two collective agreements.
“We’re extremely disappointed with the employer’s refusal to continue to negotiate a fair contract for our members,” Christine Fera, President of CUPE 3532 said. “The Employer is pushing for a five or six year collective agreement, and our members deserve to have significant wage increases if this is the path he wants to take. We do not want to withhold our services, but we also deserve respect, and right now the Employer isn’t giving it.”
If a deal is not reached by October 28, CUPE National staff will not be able to book travel plans with WE Union Travel.