TORONTO, ON – Members of the Toronto Civic Employees Union, Local 416 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 416), turned out in large numbers the past two days to provide their bargaining committee with a very strong mandate in support of a number of actions, including a work stoppage.
“We are very gratified by what can only be described as a very strong vote for a strike mandate,” said Matt Alloway, a member of the bargaining committee. “With this mandate, we are confident that we are in a position to negotiate an agreement that can strengthen the city’s services by providing the workers who deliver those services with good, stable jobs.”
Although voting on a strike mandate is considered a normal part of the bargaining process, Alloway pointed out that the timing of this vote was important in light of the city’s recent move to request a provincial conciliator.
“We are concerned that the city is choosing to take an aggressive approach to bargaining,” said Alloway, “so it was an important time for us to engage with our members, update them on what is happening at the bargaining table, and gauge their support.”
“We hope that our members’ strong show of support for their bargaining committee will encourage the city to negotiate a fair deal with us.”
Earlier today, CUPE Local 79, representing 20,000 Toronto frontline workers, asked the Ministry of Labour to appoint a conciliation officer to assist its bargaining with the city.
For more information, please contact:
Kevin Wilson,
CUPE Communications,
416-821-6641
