'No-board report' issued by labour ministry
The Ontario Ministry of Labour issued a “no-board report” on May 7 for Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 3251, inside workers in Cornwall, Ont.
A strike or lockout deadline is now set for 12:01 a.m. on May 23, following the May 17 deadline set earlier for paramedics, outside workers and library workers, said the union.
“Inside workers have reached the same impasse faced by all other city workers,” said Keith Sandford, CUPE national representative. “We need to see some movement at the bargaining table if we are going to avoid a city-wide work stoppage. We're ready to work hard in negotiations, but we're also preparing for a strike as necessary.”
The inside employees work in water and wastewater, as bylaw officers, building inspectors, child care workers, in social services, in the finance department, in addition to other departments.
Bargaining dates have been scheduled for all four locals in the coming days. The parties are working with a mediator from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, said CUPE.
Paramedics' right to strike is partially limited by an essential services agreement between the parties, which is a requirement of the Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act. Under the agreement signed between CUPE and the City of Cornwall, only three cars of the regular complement of nine would be on the road in a strike or lockout situation, said the union.
Members of CUPE Local 1792 — who work at long-term care home Glen Stor Dun Lodge —also requested a “no-board report” but as they do not have the right to strike, their issues will be resolved by interest arbitration if they are unable to reach a bargained settlement, according to CUPE.
