CUPE 1115 and the City of Welland have completed two days of negotiations with a provincially appointed conciliator. Negotiations will resume on Wednesday, March 17.
negotiation
Negotiating Update #3
Dates have been set for conciliation meetings with the employer and the union for March 10 and 11.
Negotiating Update #2
Sisters and Brothers,
We would like to begin by thanking everyone for participating in the strike vote. You provided the bargaining committee with a strong mandate to take strike action if it is necessary to achieve a fair contract that respects the work we do for the residents of Welland.
As we mentioned in our presentation, the proposals we have seen from the employer so far are very concerning. We met with the employer again after the strike vote and the only conclusion that we can draw from their actions is that they are intent on a labour disruption. They are seeking concessions on many parts of our collective agreement and do not seem interested in actually negotiating. On Thursday, February 18, the employer cancelled negotiations and walked away from the bargaining table. Both parties have decided that the only way to move forward is through conciliation. We should begin meeting with the conciliator in the next few weeks. Hopefully the conciliator will help the city’s negotiating team realize that the purpose of bargaining is not to completely rewrite a collective agreement that has been in place for years.
By moving into conciliation, both parties now have the option to request a no-board, which would trigger a 17-day countdown to a legal strike or lockout date. Our intention at this point is to continue to work on achieving a fair deal at the bargaining table, but we want everyone to be prepared for the possibility that the employer will push for a lockout.
We have reached out to CUPE’s municipal resource team who will provide research and communications support. We will provide more frequent updates as conciliation approaches and as we begin to send a public message to the mayor and council that in the middle of a pandemic, the best course of action for the people of Welland is advise their bargaining team to come to the table prepared to negotiate a fair deal that will keep city services running for the people of Welland.
In solidarity,
Your CUPE 1115 Bargaining Committee
City of Welland inside workers vote to authorize strike action
On Wednesday February 17, 2021, members of CUPE Local 1115 representing inside workers for the City of Welland voted 92 percent in favour of authorizing the local to take strike action.
Negotiating Update #1
The negotiating committee and the Corporation will be exchanging contract proposals on February 4, 2021. Negotiating dates are set as follows:
- February 10
- February 11
- February 12
- February 18
- February 19
Should you wish to contact the negotiating committee, please send email to: cupe1115nc@gmail.com