BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Black River-Matheson has ended its lockout, resulting in CUPE Local 1490 municipal workers going on strike.
Union workers had been locked out since Oct. 15 and the township ended the lockout yesterday (Jan. 21).
In a statement released today (Jan. 22), the union announced its workers are now on strike.
“Last week we overwhelmingly rejected the employer’s contract during a forced vote because it attacked our wages, especially those of the next generation of workers,” said Serge Bouchard, president of CUPE Local 1490, in the news release.
“Now we’re rejecting the employer’s forced contract, one whose terms strip us of many of the projections we had in our collective agreement. Our resolve is unbroken. We were locked out but now we’re on strike. We’ll be on the lines just the same.”
SEE: Matheson workers reject forced offer
Matheson CAO Chris Wray emailed impacted workers yesterday saying the township is accepting "re-employment" for staff members prepared to agree to terms set out by the township. The terms included in the email highlight vacation time, sick and personal leave provisions, along with wages. It's not known if the terms are the same deal that union members voted against last week.
In his letter to the union members, Wray said that the township believes the offer was "fair and reasonable".
“In accordance with the rights of the employer under the Labour Relations Act, to alter the terms and conditions of employment after a strike or lockout becomes lawful the township will not accept for re-employment any staff member who is prepared to agree to the following terms.”
Wray said those who choose to return to work will receive the economic increase based on their job classification. Any staff member who was at job rate will be paid the new job rate.
Those who return to work under the conditions Wray provided will “be expected to work regularly, as scheduled, and not participate in any work stoppages or strike activity."
“If you do not wish to return to work under these terms, your failure to return to service at this time will be characterized as a lawful strike. It is your choice to make. Please be aware that you may apply to return to work and the township will reinstate you until six months have passed from the date of the original lockout.”
Bouchard said not only is the forced contract completely inadequate, but Wray’s “methods of communication are completely inappropriate,” pointing out that Wray emailed the members directly rather than going to the bargaining agent.
“He has no right to send such messages like these, and that’s why we also sent a cease-and-desist letter,” he said.
“We’re still on the picket lines for better wages for all of us, not just some of us. That’s the message we’ll also be sending to councillors and the mayor tomorrow at the next council meeting. I hope they finally hear us.”
