Strike ‘likely’ as Whitby workers reject offer

A strike or lockout is looming for municipal workers in Whitby after employees rejected the latest offer from the city.

Waste collection could be affected, the union said, as well as road maintenance and parks and recreation.  

“From all indications, a strike is likely,” Karen Wilson, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 53, told CityNews.ca Wednesday.

The strike could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

“We’ve been in discussions for about a year and we’ve gone through mediations and conciliations. CUPE took our final offer to their membership [Tuesday] night and the membership turned it down,” Chief Administrative Office Robert Petrie said.

There have been 23 meetings between the two sides since negotiations begin in April 2011, after the contract expired on March 31.

“I wish I knew why it was taking so long,” Wilson said.  

“Maybe you’d have to ask the town of Whitby. We’re stuck on contract language, all of it non-monetary. We have no outstanding monetary issues.”

Petrie said the town’s next step is to meet with CUPE to discuss how to provide services in the event of a strike.

“In labour negotiations, there are always chances for a last minute settlement, but it doesn’t look likely.
“I’m not prepared to talk about the specifics about the sticking points…I understand that it’s not the money,” Petrie said.

CUPE 53 represents 254 inside and outside municipal workers.

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