Facing a strike deadline, Region of Waterloo breaks commitments made to CUPE 1656 members during negotiations
WATERLOO, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Facing a strike deadline of March 3, The Region of Waterloo is backtracking on its proposals made during negotiations to CUPE 1656 members who work for the region, offering wage increases significantly lower than ones they had originally already proposed.
“We went into negotiations with the Region last week, hoping we would be able to get a fair deal, but we were shocked to find out that instead they presented us with proposals significantly lower than what they offered us the last time we met,” said Local 1656 President Phil Dominas. “We are doing everything we can to reach a deal, but the Region’s latest move to try and take back what they have already offered us has made reaching a deal before the strike deadline more unlikely.”
CUPE 1656 members are full and part-time workers who work to provide clean drinking water, airport services, regional road maintenance, maintenance of emergency vehicles, and landfill services to the Region of Waterloo. Like many in the region, they have seen their wages shrink in recent years due to inflation and the rising cost of living. The local has been in negotiations for some time, and is approaching a strike deadline on March 3, which would disrupt vital services residents in the region depend on.
“Either the Region of Waterloo lied to us and had no intention of negotiating the wages they offered us, or they made a mistake,” Dominas said. “Whatever the reason, they need to come back to the negotiating table now and honour the commitments they originally made. Our members will not accept anything less. We do not want to go on strike, but at this point, the Region is giving us no other option.”
The Local is planning on holding an information picket at the Region of Waterloo Administration Headquarters prior to the Regional Council Meeting this Wednesday, February 26th. The Local is also asking residents to make their voices heard by sending a letter to Waterloo Regional Council at cupe.on.ca/waterloo and asking them to honour their commitment to CUPE 1656 members and negotiate a fair deal to avoid a strike.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Eric Bell, CUPE Communications
(306) 580-0893
ebell@cupe.ca