Central Elgin workers prepare to strike after bargaining impasse with municipality
Central Elgin municipal workers said they’ll hit the picket line on March 11 if their employer doesn’t meet their demands around wages and benefit enhancements.
Members of CUPE Local 35 held a peaceful support rally as Central Elgin Council held a meeting Monday.
Waving flags and marching around the parking lot, they wanted to get the attention of councilors and staff who were entering the building.
“We want a collective agreement that respects the important work that they do, and right now, we don't feel that the employer is recognizing that,” said Matt Alloway, spokesperson for CUPE Local 35, which consists of 34 members in Central Elgin.
The union is looking for a percentage increase similar to the three per cent that was received by workers in neighbouring municipalities like Southwold and Malahide Townships.
They believe council’s zero per cent tax increase should not come on their backs.
“The Municipality of Central Elgin has met with CUPE,” said Robin Greenall, Central Elgin’s CAO and clerk. “We’ve had about four meetings so far and those meetings have been very honest and respectful between both sides. At this moment in time I'm delivering to council just where CUPE's ask is and to look at the mandate that they had proposed and to see where we can continue on having those conversations.”
As Central Elgin Council held a meeting on Feb. 26, 2024, CUPE Local 35 members could be seen holding a peaceful protest in the parking lot outside the municipal office. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
The union said it will continue to bargain right up until March 11. That is a firm date and at this point, 97 per cent of members are in favour of legal strike action.
They don’t want to have to walk out, but if they did, they believe residents of Central Elgin would see a significant impact.
“They handle water and wastewater, roads, clearing snow, maintenance, salting roads, and solid waste,” said Alloway. “They also look after the bridge down at Port Stanley, and Parks and Rec which includes arena maintenance.”
The union said it would be open to going past the strike deadline if negotiations continue in the right direction. Both sides say they’d like to come to an agreement within the next two weeks.
CUPE Local 35 members include workers in roads, water and wastewater, as well as solid waste and parks and recreation. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
“We’re always really in support of continuing the bargaining efforts and communication is what's going to help us achieve a collective agreement,” said Greenall.
However, the union believes there needs to be more frequent communication.
“We just need to sit down and talk,” said Alloway. “We need them to be a little more open minded to our needs, and to, again, respect the work that we do.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977485.1721935249!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.