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OTTAWA, Ont. At a Monday, November 15th Regular General Assembly (RGA), members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2626 voted to give their bargaining committee the tool to negotiate a fair agreement. This Local represents 3800 Teaching Assistants (TAs), Research Assistants (RAs), Correctors, Lab Monitors, and has been without a contract since August 31st.
Close to 120 University of Ottawa TAs, RAs, Correctors, Lab Monitors and other student workers showed up at this meeting to discuss the strategic strike vote mandate and other important questions for the Union.
The assembled members showed a strong support to their Bargaining Team by voting by more than 81 percent for a strike mandate. This will send a very clear message to the Employer, said Félix Grenier, Chair of the Bargaining Committee. The Employer now has to sit down and start to bargain fairly with us about the important issues we brought to the table.
After the end of the 3-hour long Assembly, Nadine Bernard, Co-Chair of the Bargaining Committee of CUPE 2626 seemed fully satisfied with the result. This RGA helped us communicate with our membership and it is now crystal clear that the vast majority supports our strategy. The Bargaining Committee explained, during the Assembly, its three main goals revolving around the themes of Equity, Security and Efficiency.
On Thursday, November 18, the Union and Employer’s representatives will meet with the help of a conciliator in hopes that a third, objective party might assist with achieving a fair contract.
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For more information, contact:
Paul Boileau, CUPE National Representative: 613-237-0115
Felix Grenier, CUPE 2626 President: 613-562-5345
Christian Martel, CUPE Communications Representative: 647-270-6775 (cell)
