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March 3, 2008
Lindsay, Ont. Striking municipal workers at the City of Kawartha Lakes voted overwhelmingly to reject management’s latest offer on Sunday afternoon, and vowed to continue their fight to seek a fair contract that protects public services and respects workers.
We remain committed to fight for a collective agreement that’s good for our community and for workers, said Lyn Edwards, CUPE 855 president. Senior management, who do not even live in our city, cannot impose their values on us our members and residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes will not allow city management to openly discriminate against workers over the age of 65.
Management’s latest offer failed to address the outstanding issues that led to the month-long municipal strike. Contracting out, wages, hours of work and major concessions including denying workers over the age of 65 their right to access health benefits and dramatically cutting their sick-leave provisions, remain unresolved.
Our strong vote sends a message to the Mayor and Council to come out of hiding and work with front-line workers to resolve this strike, said Edwards. For too long Council has allowed themselves to be manipulated by senior management, and it’s time Council listened to constituents and city workers, in order to reach a deal that reflects the values of our community.
Senior management is more interested in putting an expiry date on workers instead of settling this strike, continued Edwards. A fair deal that protects public services and respects city workers is the only way to end this strike. The 432 municipal workers have been on strike since February 4.
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For further information, please contact:
Lyn Edwards Alison Davidson James Chai
CUPE 855 President CUPE National Rep. CUPE Communications
705-878-2152 705-760-5113 416-292-3999
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