City-CUPE Talks Hit Impasse, Going to Mediation
Thursday, October 31, 2013 @ 4:15 PM
The President of CUPE Local 1048, representing inside workers, Janet Bigelow, says “We’ve reached an impasse and we both agreed to go into mediation. We don’t have any dates yet, but I am optimistic that we will be able to get this settled.”
Bigelow says bargaining sessions were held on Monday and Tuesday of this week but as of Tuesday it became obvious the parties were deadlocked. Bigelow would not go into the items that remain unresolved, or even how many contentious issues there are. Asked whether there are several matters holding up a contract agreement, she says “I wouldn’t use the word several, there’s a few, not very many so I think we can get it settled.”
The last contracts for members of CUPE locals 1048 and 399 (outside workers) expired at the end of December. Negotiations on a new deal began early this year. So with the impasse the two sides will seek the services of a mediator. In the meantime, Bigelow says the task of identifying essential services in the event of a lockout or strike has not been completed. “We’re still working on that. We’ll be meeting with them (the City) in November to finish that off.”
Comments
Lock them out!
0% 0% 1%
From a political point of view the City would like 0% 0% for the first two years. This would get them through the next election and the winter games. After that look out as they will sell us out.
I think that maximum 3% over three years should be more than sufficient.
The same should apply to Management and other services.
In addition we also need to hear about how many people they are willing to let go to make up for the increased costs.
Palopu: “In addition we also need to hear about how many people they are willing to let go to make up for the increased costs.”
Lol. How about zero? You’re dealing with CUPE here.
How about less trips to China
Yes, less trips to China, I’m sure you’re right. Let’s focus on something that costs thousands of dollars and ignore the one that costs over $50million annually.
Lock them out!
Okay, so now they’re locked out. Who will you suggest we pay to do their work? Will there be training involved; and by whom? I’m wondering are there enough people in this town that could immediately upon lock out, the very next day; step into each and every position that needs filling? And perhaps not all of them need filling right away, but the ones that do. Business license, building permits, dog tags, planning, accounting, class 3 with air for sanders, loaders, graders.. sidewalk machines, automated garbage trucks, zamboni,hand-sanding and hand-shoveling at ALL city owned facilities… shoveling out the mayor’s parking spot, burnt out street lights, lights at intersections, you want a water shut off, etc., etc., etc., these are just to name a few. Easy to lock them out, but you’ll be the first to complain that YOUR issues aren’t being dealt with!
That’s why they set essential services levels first. Then I believe they can contract out everything management can’t do. I think people might be surprised how well the city could run without the unions.
You guys don’t have a clue. Have you ever heard of a scab. No one will step in and do the workers jobs. Contractors will not be working. Only the essential service levels set by the LRB. Obviously Sine Nomine has no idea how much training is involved in making sure there is clean water delivered to your house. Or in collecting and treating waste water. How many of you know how to bury a person in the cemetery legally and properly. Lets go I will give you an area tell me how you would pick up 4000 garbage carts per day in 8hrs. That’s only a few things but I’m sure it would take most of the strike/lockout to figure that out. Have fun.
Time to elect a mayor willing to take on the unions ! We need a Rob Ford for Mayor !!
In the 21st century, sine nomine wants to turn the clock back to 19th century labor conditions and have no unions. History shows us how things ran back then without unions. For some the solution to everything bubbles up from inside coated with their vitriolic hatred for anything to do with unions. A collective agreement is owned by both sides that’s why it’s called an agreement. Sounds like they are close to agreement and just need a little help and outside counsel. Good to hear.
I’m unclear Sine Nomine; are you against unions in general or just the city workers? I certainly hope that the people posting against unions don’t have children, especially ones that are in post-secondary education. I will quote a couple of paragraphs from the College of New Caledonia “Students’ Union” handbook.
“Because of the rapidly increasing costs of obtaining a post-secondary education, more and more students have jobs while pursuing an education. Typically, these jobs are low paying and often involve shift work and no protection of your rights. Just as students need a students’ union to support and defend their rights, working students need unions to protect rights and to win better working conditions.”
“The minimum wage is just that – a minimum. Unions try to do better, to improve the standard of living of their members. It also pays off in other ways. Unionized workplaces have fewer health and safety problems, and will help you if you need to make a Worker’s Compensation claim. Unions also work to protect people from harassment in the workplace”.
I could go on, but if some of you are against a unionized place of employment, you might want to find a different job; and make sure to tell your children, not to apply at unionized work places.
There are lots of good unions out there… and lots of bad ones as well.
I also think it’s time we look at contracting out City functions that are non-essential.
Make all the positions at city hall like the rest of the world. (Canada). Part time, casual, term and on call. Benefits cost dough. Ease off on them. Most businesses do to stay afloat. They have to. But just until Ottawa smartens up on their tax policies or when pigs fly. (the one on The Simpsons didn’t count).
Its not all about the money its about security and fair treatment, lets not forget unlike holidays to China the money they earn is spent here at least it gets recycled back into the local economy unlike trips to China, out side contractors and consultants.
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