Fair and reasonable was the message of the day at CUPE Local 907’s City Hall rally Wednesday afternoon.
After 21 negotiating sessions between the union and the city there is still no agreement and now they face a possible strike or lockout as soon as Monday. Upwards of 50 people bearing signs and wearing CUPE clothes rallied behind City Hall Wednesday to push the city to avoid a strike and negotiate a “fair and reasonable” deal.
CUPE Local 907 President Marc Goulet says that job security has not been brought to the table during negotiations between the union and the City of Belleville.
“We haven’t actually had job security proposed at the table. That was a comment made in the paper I noticed today. That’s never been brought up. Though we haven’t had any layoffs and we’re very appreciative of that, but that was never brought up in bargaining.”
Goulet was referring to the deal that was reached with Belleville Transit bus drivers that promised job security but no pay increases. Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk told Quinte News that the main thing separating the two is money.
Goulet explained that they’re not looking for more than any neighbouring regions have gotten.
“What we’re seeing in all the neighbouring communities is something that we consider fair and reasonable and we’re not looking for anything that would be outside of that ballpark and I would say the mayor was looking for something that maybe is outside of that ballpark.”
Ontario School Board Council of Unions President Laura Walton had strong words for Mayor Mitch Panciuk at the rally.
“So today I call on Mayor Panciuk. If you want to start bargaining, get out of the media, get back to the table and let’s get a fair deal for these men and women on the city of Belleville.”
Walton, who lives in Belleville, was a part of the group that secured a deal for 55,000 education workers on the eve of a strike in 2019. She says while the workers would rather stay working, if a fair deal can’t be reached then they’re prepared to strike.
“Strike is one option that is used as a bargaining tool and I think these men and women, they want to be doing the work that they’re doing. But it’s time to get serious.”
The two sides go back to the table Thursday.
CUPE Local 907 represents over 200 of the city’s workers including building inspectors, payroll and permit clerks, office staff, parks and rec, including outdoor rinks and arenas, tree trimming and maintenance, bylaw, water and wastewater treatment and snow plowing.
Ontario School Board Council of Unions President Laura Walton addressed the crowd at CUPE Local 907’s rally. (Photo by: Ryan Peddigrew/Quinte News)
(Photo by: Ryan Peddigrew/Quinte News)
