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CLARENCE-ROCKLAND, Ont. – With little progress after 6 days of bargaining, municipal employees gathered in a capacity-filled room at River Rock Inn in Rockland and delivered a strike mandate of 87 per cent.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 503 represents all full-time municipal employees at the City of Clarence-Rockland, namely: public works road crews clearing winter snow, arena operators, mechanics, child care educators in child care centres, operators at the waste disposal site, tax collection, accounts receivable and accounts payable staff, urban planners, building inspection officers, by-law officers, and other administrative support staff at City offices.
“Talks with the City have reached an impasse and are at a standstill”, said Jean-Marc Bézaire, CUPE National Representative. “It appears like the City’s bargaining committee’s hands are tied which suggests that the problem lies with a few senior officials at City Hall.”
Mr. Bézaire added, “The Union has asked for the help of a conciliator from the Ministry of Labour in an attempt to avoid a strike. If that fails, we might find ourselves forced by management to take action – which would be bad for our community and all concerned. Our hope is that cooler heads will prevail at City Hall and a reasonable solution will be found.”
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For more information, please contact:
Jean-Marc Bézaire, CUPE National Representative, 613-293-8163 (cell)
