Canada : Cambridge's inside workers hit the picket line
Cambridge's inside workers have walked away from negotiations and hit the picket line.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees local 1882 said talks broke down over workplace evaluations. Specific language for
- Cambridge's inside workers could strike Friday
- Cambridge ratifies labour agreement with outside workers
"It's unfortunate that the city is trying to go back on its agreement," Nancy Movrin, executive member from CUPE 1882, said in a release.
"Our members have indicated that they will not accept a reversal of everything we negotiated last time. The employer is breaking a promise they made to reach a deal in the previous round of negotiations."
CUPE 1882 represents 163 workers. Movrin said the union and city met for three days this week to come up with "creative proposals" that are fair to the workers and taxpayers.
"This is not about asking for something new, it is about holding onto what the employer had already agreed to," she said.
News Release: Labour disruption to begins: CUPE Local 1882 walks away from the table https://t.co/CkMqgqVGXH#cbridge
— @cityofcambridge
Some delay to city services
Cambridge city manager Gary Dyke said the city was surprised when the union walked away from the table.
"This is not the outcome we were working toward," Dyke said in a release.
The city's release noted there may be some delay to some city services, including:
- Facility bookings.
- Cemetery administration.
- Processing of planning applications, including building inspections.
- By-law enforcement inspections such as noise complaints, property standards matters, and sidewalk snow clearing complaints.
- Responding to public inquiries regarding road, water and sewer issues.
As well, the archives office and event planning committees will be closed or suspended.
Dyke said the city asks for the public's patience as the two sides continue to work out a deal.
"We understand the inconvenience a second labour disruption causes our residents," Dyke said. "We need to come to a resolution that is fair, equitable for all our employees, and affordable for the taxpayers in our city."
After almost 40 yrs of labour peace,the City of Cambridge has forced their 2nd #CUPE Local to the street this month https://t.co/2l8Sx0NnZD
— @CUPE1882
Second strike in a month
Earlier this month, the city's outside workers went on strike over pay equity. The workers said they did not receiving the same amount of pay for the same kind of work as other municipalities of the same size. The city agreed, but said they needed to come up with a plan that was fair to the workers and taxpayers.
The workers walked off the job Feb. 2 but were on strike for less than a week. Both sides ratified a new contract on Feb. 8.