PRINCE GEORGE — The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has decided to lock out District workers, effectively turning their back on community members requiring services throughout our region.
There is no such thing as a partial lockout—a lockout of one employee is a lockout of all employees. Due to the Regional District’s decision, all services provided by members of CUPE 1699 will be stopped tomorrow morning (Friday, November 7), except those deemed essential in accordance with the Essential Service Order in place.
“There is a real gap in leadership at the District”, says Daniel Burke, President of CUPE 1699. “Instead of getting back to the bargaining table, and putting in meaningful effort to resolve this, the District has decided to expand the conflict.”
“The choice to indefinitely disrupt the public services that residents depend on follows the baffling decision not to install ice at two district arenas for more than a month when there was no job action taking place at all,” added Burke.
CUPE 1699 members have participated in limited job action since October 18 to highlight the need for a fair contract. The Union says that many workers have already left the Regional District or are actively looking for other jobs because the District continues to demonstrate a lack of respect to its employees.
“We are waiting for the District to stop misrepresenting details of negotiations and cherry-picking numbers,” says Burke, noting that the Union has been ready and prepared to return to the bargaining table as soon as the District is willing to talk. “The District says it wants to serve residents and communities, but when they lock out workers—so they are unable to provide critical services— it shows that these words are hollow.”
CUPE 1699 represents over 100 workers in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. These workers are responsible for district services like building inspection, land use, public safety, parks and recreation facilities, water systems, and solid waste management to communities in the region, including Prince George, District of Mackenzie, the Villages of McBride and Valemount, and 7 electoral areas.
