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TECUMSEH, Ont. The Town of Tecumseh may face labour disruptions as early as Monday, May 17 unless the town’s administration puts forth a workable proposal, a representative from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 702 warned today.
We remain available to bargain throughout the next week, but we can’t do so unless the employer demonstrates a willingness to negotiate a fair settlement with us, said CUPE National Representative Laura Moore.
The 41 inside and outside municipal employees voted overwhelmingly last month in favour of giving their negotiating committee a strike mandate if necessary.
After recently awarding themselves two per cent wage increases, town managers have now pleaded poverty, proposing concessions for unionized staff that would strip retired employees of benefits.
Employees paid for these retiree benefits by forgoing wage increases in previous rounds of negotiations. For management to come to the table and propose stripping those benefits, especially after giving themselves raises, is beyond the pale, said Moore.
She reiterated the union’s commitment to a negotiated settlement.
We are ready to bargain around the clock, if necessary. If the employer demonstrates the same willingness to come to a fair, negotiated settlement, then we can avoid a disruption to the important services residents of Tecumseh depend on.
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For more information, contact:
Laura Moore, CUPE National Representative: 519-977-4837
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications: 416-821-6641
