Hundreds rally in Hamilton city hall forecourt ahead of possible work stoppage – Hamilton | 24CA News
Hundreds of Hamilton’s 3,200 municipal staff, pals, household and supporters rallied within the metropolis corridor forecourt late Wednesday simply days earlier than a possible work stoppage that would put many on a picket line.
Bargaining has been occurring between the town and CUPE Local 5167 since February and the union hopes negotiators will come again Friday with an inexpensive supply.
Local 5167 president Jay Hunter stated the 2 sides had “come to an impasse” as of Wednesday afternoon with wages nonetheless the principle sticking level.
He characterised the present distance between what the town is providing and what the union is asking as “far apart.”
“Still not much closer, ” Hunter stated on the rally. “They’ve only come up a very small amount and we’ve come down reasonably more than reasonably, I’ve got to say.”
Hamilton employees rally within the metropolis corridor forecourt on August 16, 2023 with simply days remaining in a strike deadline.
Global News
City employees can be in a authorized strike place as of Monday midnight with companies like city-run youngster care, recreation, rubbish, animal management and bylaw anticipated to be impacted.
Union members voted in favour of a strike within the spring regardless of the inclusion of a provincial conciliator helping either side on a collective settlement.
Workers had been put right into a authorized strike place after union leaders requested for a “no board report” from the conciliator. That report was issued by the Ministry of Labor on August 4.
In a media briefing on Tuesday, the town’s human assets supervisor Lora Fontana wouldn’t go so far as to disclose how shut or far aside the perimeters are citing the town desires “confidentiality of the matters at the bargaining table.”
She did admit the principle problem was monetary.
“We’re going to continue to bargain in good faith and continue to be optimistic that we can have a successful resolve … without the need of having a labor disruption,” Fontana stated.
City supervisor Janette Smith stated the town’s negotiators will make efforts to remain on the desk with CUPE by way of the weekend, if needed.
However, she did recommend residents ought to “start thinking” about what life would possibly appear like on Monday with the work stoppage.
Smith confirmed transit, paramedic companies, fireplace companies and long-term care houses are some pressing companies that can undoubtedly not be impacted if a deal isn’t reached.
“We have … an operations team that will look at where we have those emergency issues pop up (where) we can move people from non-essential over to those issues,” stated Smith.
“That kind of centralized team will manage that on a day by day, hour by hour basis as needed.”
Hunter says even that situation will most likely be “a difficult endeavour” with 1000’s of the town’s 8,500 staff doubtlessly off the job Monday.
“We don’t want to go on strike, we want to keep delivering the public service that they depend on,” Hunter stated in a message to metropolis residents.
CUPE says picket traces can be round “high visible places” which have connections with metropolis companies within the downtown core, the Mountain, Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough and Waterdown.
