Contract talks between outside workers’ union, CBRM break down
SYDNEY — The union representing the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's inside workers has filed a request to get a conciliator involved with contract negotiations after talks broke down with the municipality on Tuesday.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 933 represents about approximately 150 municipal members who are employed at the CBRM Civic Works Centre, CBRM Integrated Emergency Services 911 and the Sydney lockup.
The workers' collective bargain agreement expired on Oct. 31, 2021.
Tammy Martin, CUPE national representative, said in a statement that bargaining started “only four days” ago, but after those four days, “the employer presented us with their final position even though we were still far apart on some issues. Presenting a final offer at such an early stage is unusual and quite disappointing.”
Among the outstanding issues between the two sides include wages, bereavement leave and parental/adoption leave.
“Also, there's a wage parity issue that remains unsettled for our members working as special constables,” Martin added, “which is unfortunate because if we go to arbitration to solve the matter, instead of addressing it at the bargaining table, it could cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. Hopefully, the employer will see that it makes more sense to resolve the matter now, in bargaining.”
CUPE Local 933 president Daniel Colbourne also said in a statement that the union is looking to “continue bargaining” with the municipality. “While we were successful with some improvements to contract language, we're far apart on others,” he said. “We want the employer to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair collective agreement.”
Just before Christmas, the union representing CBRM's outside workers, CUPE 759, ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. Soon after, council voted unanimously to accept the new agreement, retroactive to Nov. 1, 2020, which will expire Oct. 31, 2024.
CUPE 759 represents close to 300 members employed by CBRM who work in transit, public works, water and wastewater management, parks and grounds maintenance, building and arena maintenance, as well as cleaning and janitorial services.