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OTTAWA, Ont. In an effort to achieve a fair contract, Carleton University Workers voted 83 per cent today in favor of giving a strike mandate to their bargaining representatives. Over 800 professionals, office and technical employees, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have been without a contract since June 30th.
We know this employer tactic is to wait until there’s a strong strike mandate before negotiating seriously with its Union, said CUPE National Representative Susan Arab. This strike mandate sends a clear message that we want progress at the bargaining table.
In 2007 CUPE Local 2424 went on strike for two weeks in order to achieve a collective agreement. We are frustrated with the progress at the bargaining table. We have met a dozen times with the Employer; we have a Ministry of Labour Conciliator at the table and we have not seen any progress at the table said, Ms Wiz Long.
Carleton does not seem to have learned anything from the last round of bargaining.
In the last 30 years, Carleton has always waited at the eleventh hour to address any serious bargaining, she added.
Outstanding issues include mostly pension and job security. On pensions, the Union seeks assurances in the collective agreement that the pension plan will not be eroded in the future. On job security, the Union is seeking protection from any adverse effects that could arise should Carleton University decide to contract out international student services and courses.
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For more information, contact:
Wiz Long, Local 2424 President, 613-866-2871
Susan Arab, CUPE National Representative, 613 237-0115, Cell: 647 270-6775
Christian Martel, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999
