City of Winnipeg workers could be on strike next week
The union that represents thousands of City of Winnipeg workers have set a strike deadline for next week.
On Thursday, CUPE Local 500 announced that its bargaining committee has set Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 11:59 p.m. as the deadline for the City of Winnipeg to offer an “acceptable” deal. If this deal is not reached, 5,000 frontline city workers will be on strike come Wednesday.
“The city’s going to have to step up to the plate and ensure that we are a competitor in this labour market and ensure that we’re able to deliver services,” said Gord Delbridge, president of CUPE Local 500, on Thursday.
CUPE 500 said it has given the city a lot of time to provide an acceptable deal, but instead, the city has offered, “long-winded ways to give frontline workers less than they deserve, leaving them further behind.”
The union noted the city is losing staff members and is dealing with recruitment issues, which will only get worse if workers don’t receive real wage increases. Delbridge said that many employees are leaving for other opportunities where they can receive better pay.
“We’re being fair, we're being reasonable with our ask,” he said.
“We’re willing to take a reduction with our standard of living. We understand that the employer has economic challenges as well, but so do we as working-class families, and we’ll share that burden with you. We’ll work with you, but you can’t put it all on us.”
CUPE 500 added that the city still has time to work with them to prevent a strike, but the “ball is in their court.
“We are asking the city to come back to the table and put an end to this,” Delbridge said.
In a statement, the City of Winnipeg said it has presented an offer to CUPE, which includes general wage increases “well-above” those included in the offer that the CUPE bargaining committee shared with their members, and also includes “significant money” that would be be used for special wage adjustments to lower paid classifications.
“The City’s negotiating team has worked very hard to reach a fair deal for our CUPE represented workforce that avoids a labour disruption that would impact the important City services residents rely on,” said Michael Jack, the City’s chief administrative officer, in a news release. “We strongly encourage CUPE’s negotiating committee to accept the City’s latest offer and take it to their membership before any job action is taken.”
The city’s statement also says they proposed an essential services agreement to CUPE that would allow employees in certain key positions, such as 911 contact centre employees and sewage treatment, to continue to provide essential services.
“To date, CUPE has not agreed to sign this essential services agreement,” the city said.
The city said it will work to maintain essential services if a strike occurs, including police, fire, and paramedic response, water treatment, water quality testing, and transit service. They said services that are contracted out, such as recycling and garbage service, will not be impacted.
“Depending on the approach CUPE takes to strike planning, many city services and programs could either be reduced or temporarily interrupted, and certain city facilities may be temporarily closed to members of the public during a strike,” the statement from the city reads.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.