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NORTH BAY, Ont. Aramark food service staff at Canadore College/Nipissing University, Commerce Court and secondary schools throughout the Near North District School Board, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), face a strike or lockout in early September, after conciliation talks with the company failed to produce an agreement.
Unfortunately, management has not yet tabled their final offer, choosing to prolong negotiations beyond an acceptable timeframe, said Monique Drapeau, CUPE national representative. Our members want to continue providing food services for residents, students and customers in area facilities and institutions, including eight secondary schools.
We’re talking about workers who only earn between 9 dollars and 10.90 an hour, said Drapeau. That’s hardly a living wage in today’s economy, it’s really an unacceptable situation. The workers’ last contract expired December 31, 2006. Negotiations are continuing in advance of the legal strike or lockout deadline.
We will do our best to reach a negotiated settlement, and a strike is really our last resort, said Drapeau, pointing out the employer could also lock out the workers. The reality is that our members won’t have much choice unless Aramark changes its position and moves towards a fair contract settlement, to avoid a fall school disruption.
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For further information, please contact:
Monique Drapeau, CUPE National Representative: 705-474-9765
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications: 416-292-3999
