CUPE 2262 members who work for the City of Castlegar have issued 72-hour strike notice of a full withdrawal of service.
CUPE 2262 president Leford Lafayette said that following Monday night’s presentation to city council, it is clear that elected officials are not focused on getting back to the bargaining table and reaching a fair deal with city workers.
“We do not want to be in a position to take full-scale strike action, with disruption for residents and local businesses. But given the lack of response by our current mayor and council, we don’t feel like we have other options,” said Lafayette.
Effective Saturday, November 8 picket lines will be up at city work sites and CUPE members will be off the job.
Key outstanding issues include job security and serious concessions that would undercut CUPE’s ability to properly represent members when disputes arise. The union has also raised concerns about the City hiring more managers and contracting out services
CUPE 2262 represents 34 members who work for the City of Castlegar. The current agreement expired in February 2013. No bargaining has taken place since a second round of mediated talks failed to find a resolution September. The union has been engaged in limited job action in the form of a ban on overtime since August 19, 2014.