THUNDER BAY – About 600 municipal workers say they’re returning to the bargaining table with a strong strike mandate.
According to a release issued on Thursday morning, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 87 voted 97 per cent in favour of job action, if necessary, with talks scheduled to resume next week.
The union says it has asked for the help of a provincially appointed conciliator who will begin two days of talks starting on Monday.
Affected workers include those in childcare, building inspectors, administrative workers, roads and parks employees, water and waste water staff, waste collectors and snow-plow operators.
“We’ve only had a few days of talks with our employer to date,” said Dana Vacek, president of Local 87. “But they seem determined to provoke conflict. They are seeking cuts to our modest benefits plan, and coming after a number of basic collective agreement rights. We deliver quality public services in Thunder Bay every day. Our goal is to negotiate a fair deal for our members, and to keep delivering those services.”
Vacek said the membership simply wants to do their jobs.
“Throughout the pandemic, it’s been our goal to maintain vital services for the community,” said Vacek. “That continues to be our goal. The tone at the bargaining table has made us question the City’s commitment to reach a negotiated settlement with us, but we hope the assistance of a mediator will move things forward.”
City manager Norm Gale issued a brief statement on Tuesday afternoon.
“We don’t bargain in the media," Gale said. “We greatly appreciate the diligence and hard work of the city’s CUPE staff and all city employees during COVID-19 and the support and cooperation of CUPE leadership at this unprecedented time.”
