MATHESON - The disruptions in Matheson are continuing.
For the third straight time, the township has cancelled its regular council meeting. It's the second consecutive meeting cancelled due to lack of quorum.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has also filed for a judicial review over the township's "heavy-handed escalation" of treatment against striking workers, the union announced today.
Matheson council consists of seven members, the mayor and six councillors. For a meeting to happen, at least four council members must be in attendance.
The last time Matheson council met was Jan. 23.
Its Feb. 13 meeting was cancelled due to a CUPE rally that day. One member short of quorum on Feb. 27, that meeting was also cancelled.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Today is the 150th day of an ongoing labour dispute between the township and 14 CUPE Local 1490 members. The union members were locked out by the township in October and the members went on strike when the lockout was lifted in January.
A rally was held in the community tonight, with the additional attendees including Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) secretary treasurer Ahmad Gaied and executive vice-president Jackie Taylor.
Town hall was closed today and is expected to reopen tomorrow (March 13). Closing town hall has become a trend when a union rally is planned.
The judicial review is in relation to a trespass order issued by the township in February. It prevents the 14 striking workers, CUPE members and CUPE employees from three municipal locations — town hall, the arena and a public works site located at 1115 Vimy Ridge Rd.
"What the township is doing is a deeply troubling intrusion on the constitutionally-protected right of our members to collectively bargain and to take strike action. I’m outraged that the Township’s taken to abuse of the Charter rights of its workers — and that’s why we’re sending them yet another loud and clear message," said Mark Hancock, CUPE president, in a news release.
Judicial reviews ensure that decisions of administrative bodies are fair, reasonable and lawful.
The union's application for a review was served today (March 12).
“These rights are protected for a reason,” said Hancock. “We’ll defend the right to strike and demonstrate everywhere, from picket lines to the courts, if we have to.”
