The president of CUPE Local 4705, which represents 1,500 City of Greater Sudbury staff in various departments, says he anticipates a strong vote in favour of a strike mandate today.
“Based on feedback that I am getting from membership, we anticipate it will be a strong mandate in favour of whatever measures are necessary to get a fair contract,” said Darryl Taylor.
Taylor could not go into details regarding the union's demands from management, he said, but added there remain a “number of issues that still have to be addressed.”
He added his members want a deal this is fair and reasonable, and that also respects the city's taxpayers.
While talks with management are ongoing, said Taylor, he added they have become less frequent in recent weeks.
“We're hopeful that with the mandate from the membership the city will see the resolve of the membership that we want to continue to provide these important frontline services for the city,” he said.
Original story:
The inside and outside bargaining units of CUPE Local 4705 are voting on a strike mandate today.
According to the union's website, their collective agreement expired in March, and since well before that time, the bargaining team has been making efforts to negotiate with the City of Greater Sudbury to bring them closer to the adoption of a new collective agreement.
More than 70 city employees picketed at Tom Davies Square on May 10 in an effort to raise their concerns over the need for a new collective agreement.
That night, union president Darryl Taylor addressed his union brother and sisters over a megaphone as the group prepared to march to the front steps of Tom Davies Square.
“You guys deliver the vital public services in this city,” said Taylor. “I know we would have more people out here today but a lot of you are working.”
Taylor told Sudbury.com negotiations have been ongoing but at a slow pace.
“We've met with the employer for 23 days and negotiations are ongoing but they're dragging,” he said.
“The purpose of what we're doing today is to send a message to city council, and to say to them that we're here, we're people, and we support our bargaining team and we want a fair and equitable contract for all.”
Members are voting for a strike mandate at the Garson Arena all morning, and will also be able to vote in the evening, during two meetings at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Sudbury.com will have more on this story as it develops.
