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Bargaining Committee wants to finish job of negotiating agreement, but Region won’t make itself available until next Tuesday
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Striking members of Local 966 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) were disappointed to learn today that negotiators for the Region of Peel will not make themselves available to finish the job of getting members back to work until Tuesday, July 3.
“Our bargaining committee remains ready to finish the job of getting our members back to work, providing the important services Peel residents rely on,” said Mary Jo Falle, president of Local 966.
“In order for that to happen, we need a willing partner across the table from us. This is not the first time the Region’s unwillingness to finish the job has kept Peel residents from having the public services they deserve,” she added.
Early Friday morning, after a marathon bargaining session, negotiators for the Region informed Local 966 that they were not prepared to bargain a return-to-work protocol—a critical component of resolving any labour dispute—until Tuesday.
“We had hoped to present a complete package to members as early as today, but the Region refused to finish the job. We offered to meet over the weekend and Monday. Again, the Region refused,” said Falle.
Since early May, workers at the Region’s Human Services Department, which administers Ontario Works, Housing Services and Integrated Business Services, have been on strike for a fair contract. They have since been joined by TransHelp employees, who operate the Region’s accessible transit service, and Public Works Employees.
Falle said Local 966’s bargaining committee will remain on standby to finish the job in the unlikely event the Region changes its mind and returns to the bargaining table.
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For more information, please contact:
Kevin Wilson, CUPE Communications, 416-821-6641
