EMC News – Businesses, light industry, apartment and condominium residents could face disruptions to garbage collection in as little as 10 days unless the company contracted to provide the service presents a serious contract offer, warned Dan Sauve, president, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 1338.

On July 6, members of Local 1338, representing 65 waste haulers and landfill employees voted more than 95 per cent in favour of taking job action, if necessary, to push back crippling benefit clawbacks proposed by their employer, Waste Management Canada.

“Our members do not want to go on strike, but they sent a clear message yesterday to the employer that they will not turn their backs on decades worth of collective bargaining that helps them provide for their families now, and in their retirement years,” said Sauve.

The union sent a letter today to local businesses and industries in Ottawa, Kanata, West Carleton, Stittsville, Gloucester, Rideau and other area communities warning them of the potential impact of a labour dispute and encouraging them to have contingency plans in place.

“We understand that people may be inconvenienced in the event of a work stoppage, and we felt it was important to let those who could be affected know the current state of negotiations so they could be prepared,” said Sauve.

However, given the employer’s insistence on putting forward major concessions to short- and long-term disability plans, as well as dental and drug benefits, he added that it didn’t appear Waste Management was serious about negotiations.

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The threat of a garbage strike for businesses and light industry is now looming over Ottawa this summer.

The union representing 65 waste haulers and landfill employees employed by Waste Management are threatening to go on strike by the end of the month if a contact is not finalized.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees says its members voted more than 95 per cent in favour of job action in as little as 17 days to push back a proposal from Waste Management to claw back benefits.

CUPE local President Dan Sauve tells CFRA News that after five days of negotiations, the only outstanding issues are wages and a proposal from Waste Management to cut benefits by 25 per cent.

The union represents workers who collect garbage at businesses and light industry across Ottawa, and recycling from apartment and condominium buildings.

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CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwire – April 8, 2010) – The union representing security guards at Heritage Park is warning that the Employer’s request for mediation might mean that the Heritage Park Society is preparing to lock out employees seeking a first collective agreement.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 37 President Kevin Galley, is concerned that the Heritage Park Society is putting upcoming events at the park in jeopardy.

“I am very disappointed that the Employer chose to go the route of mediation at this time as we felt there has been plenty of progress at the bargaining table,” said Galley. ”We believe it may be the intention of the Employer’s bargaining team to quickly go through the mediation process so they can lock out the employees.”

“CUPE Local 37 will not stand idly by while the Heritage Park Society takes this aggressive move to crush a small number of their employees represented by a union.”

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EMC News – BFI Canada Inc. workers, members of Local 1338-02 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are ready to go on strike if, it notes, the company doesn’t show more openness to their contract demands. The workers are responsible for recycling and waste collection in the west end.

The 40 workers, who collect residential and commercial garbage and recycling for approximately 25 per cent of Ottawa, have voted over 90 per cent in favour of strike action if a collective agreement is not reached with the employer. The strike vote took place March 17.

In a press release, the union notes it has been frustrated with what it claims the employer’s refusal to bargain fairly. The bargaining has stumbled on wages, hours of work and overtime, and has come to a halt over benefits such as healthcare insurance, long term disability, etc.

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