Representatives of the Capital Regional District and CRD employees were unable to come to an agreement on a new contract last week during a mediation attempt in Victoria.
The Greater Victoria Labour Relation Association, representing the CRD, and CUPE 1978 B次元官网网址� which represents approximately 1,000 CRD employees B次元官网网址� were in negotiations on a new deal, but could not agree on one major point: a raise to the 14-per-cent hourly premium paid in lieu of benefits to the roughly 500 auxiliary workers.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an additional payment to offset the lack of benefits they receive,B次元官网网址� said CUPE 1978 president Rick Illi. B次元官网网址淎s an auxiliary worker they receive no sick time, no extended health B次元官网网址� this premium is to help with that.B次元官网网址�
While Illi said the union is looking for a B次元官网网址渕odestB次元官网网址� increase, the subject is a sticking point in negotiations.
B次元官网网址淲e have a difference of opinion in terms of where that number should be,B次元官网网址� said Kevin Murdoch, board chair of the GVLRA.
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An application by CUPE 1978 and the GVLRA was filed to the Labour Relations board on Monday to determine what essential services must still be provided by employees if job action is taken.
This process takes into account the roles that could not partake in any job action B次元官网网址� such as a walkout B次元官网网址� because it would put the health and safety of the general public at risk. These positions might include senior staff at water treatment or sewage treatment facilities, or 911 operators.
CUPE members voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike several weeks ago, in case negotiations come to a standstill. CUPE would still need to issue a 72-hour strike notice should they choose to take action, however, Illi said a strike is something they want to avoid if they can.
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B次元官网网址淚t could be as simple as an overtime ban, which would have no disruption of services,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎t the far end is a full-scale job action, such as a strike. ItB次元官网网址檚 not our intention to do that, weB次元官网网址檙e hopeful not going to do that.B次元官网网址�
Murdoch said the GVLRAB次元官网网址檚 hope is to B次元官网网址渁void any form of labour action and reach the table and get to something that is mutually agreeable.B次元官网网址� He added that at this point the ball is in CUPE 1978B次元官网网址檚 court.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e focused frankly on getting a deal, and asking how do we find some resolution to this,B次元官网网址� Murdoch said. B次元官网网址淏ut, we also have to maintain our mandate to our client.B次元官网网址�
Illi said the GVLRA simply didnB次元官网网址檛 want to negotiate.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of baffling for us why they donB次元官网网址檛 want to have a discussion,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎ll weB次元官网网址檙e hoping to have is a meaningful discussion and an improvement for a significant number of employees. But, a dialogue requires two.B次元官网网址�
