CUPE Local 101 is accusing the City of London of prolonging the inside workers' strike by adding new amendments to their most recent contract proposal.
As the inside workers' strike entered week seven, there had been hope talks that began on Thursday were bringing some progress, but the union says the talks with a provincial mediator have now collapsed.
In a statement released on Monday, Shelley Navarroli, the union president, expressed disappointment that "the city still has no intention to settle this strike."
She went on to say, "Instead of finding common ground for a tentative agreement, the city is escalating the situation by introducing new elements at this stage of the strike - it seems designed to make things go from bad to worse."
The union goes on to say they tabled a proposed settlement late Friday that included "significant moves," but it took the city two days to respond, and when they did on Monday morning, it was "nowhere near the framework for a tentative agreement."
Some of the biggest issues in the contract negotiations have been wages, changes to retirement plans for new employees, hours of work and job evaluations.
“Our bargaining committee made significant moves on the outstanding issues in an attempt to reach a settlement even though the city has yet to produce a business plan to support any demonstrated need for the changes they are asking for,” Navarroli added.
The union says it is open to further talks, but is currently considering all options including possible legal action.
London's 750 inside workers have been on the picket line since late May and without a contract since December.
