City workers reject mediator recommendations, ask for more talks
By Castlegar Source
Workers at the City of Castlegar have sent out a press release today via Marketwired, indicating they are seeking further talks with the employer in order to reach a new collective agreement and avoid full strike action.
Following mediation in September, members of CUPE 2262 met last night to review the mediator’s recommendations. After thorough review and discussion of the mediator’s report, the recommendations were resoundingly rejected by city workers.
CUPE 2262 president Leford Lafayette said that members are very engaged, with 31 of 34 members participating in the meeting. “The members gave clear direction to our bargaining team that they remain committed to achieving a fair collective agreement that addresses the main issues of wage parity with other Kootenay communities and job security,” said Lafayette.
He said that in the 60 years that CUPE has represented city workers in Castlegar, they have never had to resort to strike action to get a fair deal. “We want to arrive at a settlement that works for both parties and we hope the employer will work with us to find that settlement, without any escalation of job action.”
The current agreement expired in February 2013. Mediated talks broke down in July 2014, but resumed in September. The union has been engaged in limited job action in the form of a ban on overtime since August 19, 2014.
CUPE 2262 represents 34 members working as inside and outside workers in Castlegar.
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