Municipal labour talks break down in Cornwall, Ont.: CUPE

Strike looms for Thursday morning

Municipal labour talks break down in Cornwall, Ont.: CUPE
The workers — who are represented by CUPE Locals 234, 3251-01 and 5734 — work for the city in outside jobs, at the library and as paramedics. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Talks between the City of Cornwall and four municipal locals broke down on Tuesday, moving the parties closer to a strike on May 17 at 12:01 a.m., by three of the four locals, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

“We remain available to bargain all day and night, Wednesday, May 16,” said Alison Denis, CUPE national representative. “We are willing to do the work necessary to get a fair deal, but we are not seeing a parallel willingness from the employer.”

The workers — who are represented by CUPE Locals 234, 3251-01 and 5734 — work for the city in outside jobs, at the library and as paramedics. Inside workers — represented by CUPE Local 3251 — have a strike deadline of May 23 at 12:01 a.m., said the union.

Paramedics' right to strike is partially limited by an essential services agreement between the parties, which is a requirement of the Ambulance Services Collective Bargaining Act. Under the agreement signed between CUPE and the City of Cornwall, only three cars of the regular complement of nine will be on the road in a strike or lockout situation, said CUPE.

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