Friday, September 14, 2007

City Requests Mediator for CUPE 15, 1004 & 391

September 14, 2007

City of Vancouver asks Minister of Labour to appoint mediator to settle CUPE 15 strike

Today the City of Vancouver has asked the Minister of Labour to appoint a mediator to address the key outstanding issues between the City and CUPE 15, in an effort to end the union’s strike action as soon as possible. Under provincial legislation either party to the labour dispute may request a mediator and the City is now making this request.

After repeated negotiations, eleven offers, and eight weeks of strike action, CUPE 15 (inside workers) and the City have been unable to reach a settlement.

The City has provided CUPE 15 with two additional offers this week that match regional settlement levels. These have not served to resolve the dispute. The key outstanding issues are the union’s demand for a guarantee of no layoffs in the event of contracting out, and the union’s unwillingness to provide flexibility to the employer in the hiring of external candidates.

While requesting the appointment of a mediator, the City of Vancouver remains eager to settle the strike as quickly as possible and has offered to negotiate throughout the weekend to try to reach a settlement, prior to the appointment of a mediator.

The City is making every effort possible so that its employees can return to work and services to Vancouver residents can be restored.

Media contact:

Jerry Dobrovolny
Assistant City Engineer
604.873.7331

Further Information:

Go to vancouver.ca for Fact Sheet Update on CUPE 15 negotiations


September 14, 2007

City of Vancouver asks Minister of Labour to appoint mediator to settle CUPE 1004 strike

Today the City of Vancouver has asked the Minister of Labour to appoint a mediator to address the key outstanding issues between the City and CUPE 1004, in an effort to end the union’s strike action as soon as possible. Under provincial legislation either party to the labour dispute may request a mediator and the City is now making this request.

After repeated negotiations and eight weeks of strike action, CUPE 1004 (outside workers) and the City have been unable to reach a settlement.

The City has provided CUPE 1004 with a new offer. While CUPE 1004 and the City have reached agreement on some issues, many significant demands remain outstanding. CUPE 1004 has advised that they will not settle until the disputes with CUPE 15 (inside workers) and CUPE 391 (library workers) are resolved.

In asking the Ministry of Labour to appoint a mediator to settle outstanding issues with CUPE 1004, the City of Vancouver remains eager to settle this strike so that its employees can return to work and services to Vancouver residents can be restored.

Media Contact:
Jerry Dobrovolny
Assistant City Engineer
604-873-7331

Further Information:
Go to vancouver.ca for Fact Sheet Update on CUPE 1004 negotiations


For Immediate Release: September 14, 2007


VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY ASKS FOR FACILITATOR
FOR CUPE LOCAL 391 STRIKE

VANCOUVER – Today, the Vancouver Public Library asked the Labour Relations Board to appoint a facilitator to address the key outstanding issues between the Library and CUPE Local 391, which represents library workers.

“After several rounds of negotiations and seven weeks of strike action, CUPE 391 and the Library have been unable to reach a settlement,” said City Librarian Paul Whitney.

The Library presented a new offer to CUPE 391 over the last two days that includes a 17.5 per cent wage increase over five years. The union, however, is unwilling to accept this offer and is still proposing wage and benefit increases of more than 30 per cent of payroll costs.

Additionally, CUPE 391 continues to demand guaranteed job security and no layoffs, which would eliminate the flexibility necessary for the Library to deliver services to the community.

“In asking the Labour Relations Board to appoint a facilitator to assist the parties in settling these important outstanding issues, the Vancouver Public Library remains eager to settle this labour dispute so that our employees can return to work and library services can be restored to Vancouver residents,” said Mr. Whitney.

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For more information, please contact: Jean Kavanagh
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Vancouver Public Library
604-331- 3895
604-612-4059 (cell)

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