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WHITBY, Ont. – Municipal workers with the Town of Whitby, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), rejected their employer’s latest ‘final’ offer, triggering a possible lockout or strike that could begin as early as 12:01 a.m., Saturday, April 21.
“This is the second time our members have rejected the employer’s so-called final offer,” said Karen Wilson, president of CUPE 53. “We bargain on behalf of our members and we know what our membership is looking for – a fair deal that respects our work. Both the rejected deals were designed to provoke and divide our membership, but we remain united and committed to achieving a fair deal so we can continue to do our jobs – providing important public services to our community.”
CUPE 53 represents 254 inside and outside municipal workers, including parks and recreation, solid waste collection, public works, planners, by-law officers, building inspectors, road maintenance crews, animal service workers, finance and administration staff, and others. Their last contract expired on March 31, 2011.
“Our goal is to bargain a fair deal that protects public services in Whitby,” said Wilson. “We have asked management to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible to reach a deal that will be acceptable to all our members, and one that protects public services for residents.”
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For more information, please contact:
Karen Wilson, CUPE 53 President, 905-925-2873
Betty Sommers, CUPE National Representative, 905-439-7044
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 416-458-3983
