City workers to go on strike?

[SteelTown]

Prepare yourself! I threw out as much garbage this week as possible haha.

City, union break off talks
Workers coud be on strike by Monday

January 17, 2008
The Hamilton Spectator

Talks between the City of Hamilton and union representing 2,700 city workers broke off this morning.

“The City’s proposal represents a fair and reasonable offer to employees, while maintaining a fiscally responsible approach to the taxpayers of Hamilton,” said city manager Glen Peace said in a release issued just after 7:30 a.m.  “The City has notified the union that we remain committed to keeping the lines of communication open and returning to the bargaining table at any time."

Union president Darren Vernon says he’ll be gathering members to inform them of the latest developments.

“Our next move is to set up a meeting with our workers so we can talk to them about how things went,” said Vernon.

Vernon said he did not want to provide specific details of the talks until he spoke with the union’s 2,700 workers. But he did say the main issue is still the city's use of casual workers.

According to the union, the city wants to double the percentage of such workers from 10 to 20 per cent. Vernon said the union is asking that casual workers have the same benefits as full-time staffers.

Both sides are in legal strike or lockout positions and Vernon said workers could be on strike as early as Monday.

The city has scheduled a special committee of the whole meeting so negotiators can update council on the state of contract talks.

If a deal can’t be reached, a wide range of city services would be disrupted. The union represents more than 600 job descriptions within the city, including snow removal, garbage collection, parking authority officers, family support workers and many others. See a full list below.

Yesterday was the 17th day of negotiations since the contract expired Dec. 31, 2006.

What’s affected by a CUPE strike
- Cemetery workers including maintenance, landscaping and administration staff
- Curbside garbage collectors
- Office staff for recycling services (not curbside service)
- Maintenance workers, electricians, plumbers, facility operators (building managers). Some, not all. Affected: Hamilton Convention Centre, Jackson Square, Hamilton Hydro building, John Sopinka Courthouse, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Copps Coliseum, Hamilton Place, city subsidised housing, Ivor Wynne Stadium, Valley Park Arena and Recreation Centre, Chedoke Twin Pad Arena, Mountain Arena etc.
- Public health inspectors (some). Affected: restaurants, building air quality, animal bites involving rabies
- Parking authority officers that issue tickets
- Waste water employees (some), repair water leaks
- Family support workers (visit homes and attend court to present city’s position in welfare cases)
- Computer help staff for city
- Mechanics for city vehicles
- Licencing standard inspectors (inspect taxis and buildings)
- Parent programs in city buildings (not program staff)
- Snow removal
- Litter workers (change city garbage containers at night)

Not affected
- Library workers
- Police
- Fire fighters