VAUGHAN, ON – More than 600 municipal workers for the City of Vaughan, represented by CUPE 905, could be on strike as early as January 31st after the Ministry of Labour issued a “No Board” report.
“Municipal workers provide the services that keep Vaughan running,” said Matthew Evangelista, Chair of CUPE 905’s Vaughan Unit. “But we can’t do that without fair wages, benefits, and job security for temporary workers.”
A strike would disrupt city services including roads, parks, water and wastewater operations, animal services, by-law enforcement, financial services, engineering, planning, building inspection, city clerks and recreation and community programs.
“Some of our members have been working temp contracts for 10 years with no job security and no benefits,” said Katherine Grzejszczak, President of CUPE 905. “Municipalities should provide good, stable jobs that workers can live on. The City can certainly afford to compensate our members fairly for the exceptional services they provide to the Vaughan community.”
The parties are scheduled to resume negotiations with a conciliator on January 27th.
“The cost of living has skyrocketed and workers can’t keep up,” Evangelista continued. “The Bargaining Committee is ready to negotiate, but if the Employer refuses to make us a fair offer, we will have no choice but to go out on strike.”
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For more information, please contact:
Katherine Grzejszczak, President of CUPE 905
416-886-7914
Eric Bell, CUPE National Communications
306-580-0893
LAP/COPE491
