Nov 13, 2018
Labour relations between cafeteria workers, represented by CUPE 2999, and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières have taken a turn for the worst. At a general meeting last Saturday, employees of the Sodexo-managed cafeteria voted unanimously in favour of pressure tactics, up to and including strike action—and this after only one bargaining session.

“The first time the bargaining teams met on November 8, the union made it clear that it refused to negotiate with an employer bargaining team that included an individual who had shown disrespect to members working on behalf of the union,” said CUPE representative Mario Fontaine. “CUPE filed a grievance demanding a harassment-free workplace right at that first meeting.”

On November 7, a member of management acted with disrespect and raised his voice to the president and vice-president of the local when they were defending the rights of a member. As a result of this altercation, the union opted to hold a general meeting the following Saturday.

“At the Saturday meeting, the membership learned that what happened on November 7 was not an isolated incident. In fact, there is a history of similar episodes. The members are 100% behind their union and will not tolerate any harassment of its representatives,” Fontaine concluded.

**********************

Find other news from CUPE National in their newsroom

ABBOTSFORD—CUPE 561 bus drivers are back in uniform this week after ratifying a new collective agreement with First Canada ULC on Sunday night. The Local’s 160 members, based in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, had initiated job action with a uniform ban on October 10.

The new three-year contract, retroactive to April 1, 2017, includes annual wage increases of 2, 2, and 2.5 per cent, retroactive wage reimbursements, and new language on run committees that will give members more input into the construction of their shifts while providing better work/life balance. It also includes language giving senior part-time employees access to sick leave, health and welfare benefits, the RRSP purchase plan, and full day’s pay on stat holidays.

“This agreement represents a solid path forward and gives these members some real gains to build on in successive rounds of bargaining,” said CUPE 561 President Dave Ginter.

“In collective bargaining, we don’t often see language on work-life balance. For the first time, these members have that language in the body of their collective agreement—along with a range of improvements, including on bereavement leave and vision care, and better compensation for lengthy shifts. Full credit is due to the bargaining committee and the servicing reps for all of their hard work since these negotiations began.”

CUPE 561 members from First Canada also include about a dozen mechanics. Negotiations for the next round of bargaining may begin as early as December 2019.

COPE 491