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Strike vote
successful
Richmond Hill outside
workers ready to strike
RICHMOND
HILL, Ont. Outside workers in Richmond Hill have voted 100 per
cent to strike.
Members
of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 905 are trying to
achieve a fair contract that includes the same wage increase as other municipal
workers in the Region of York, and a one-time market adjustment to meet the
municipality’s Job Evaluation requirements.
We
are not asking for the moon, said Derek Bakshi, President of the local.
We know there are 79 members of the Richmond Hill management who are on the
sunshine list (those who earn over $100,000); we don’t earn anywhere near
that. We just want a fair wage so we can support our families.
We
don’t just work here, we pay our taxes here and we are members of this
community and we contribute to it. In fact, our local just donated $3,000
to charity.
There
are approximately 100 full time and seasonal workers in this unit. They
are responsible for maintaining roads, parks, recreation centres, and ensuring
that municipal water is safe and that waste water (sewage) disposal is also
done in a safe and reliable manner.
On
Friday, October 1, the union asked for a conciliator to join the negotiations
in hopes that a third, objective party might assist with gaining a fair
contract.
For
further information, please contact:
Grant
Dart CUPE National
Representative
705 641-0968
Wendy
Forbes CUPE
Communications
416 292-3999
COPE491/EW
