WHITE ROCK – Following last week’s one-day picket of City Hall and an ongoing overtime ban, White Rock workers in the public works department will be off the job on Thursday, May 8.
The shutdown will affect residential, multifamily and commercial garbage and recycling collection, maintenance of the sewer system, street cleaning, and parks and road maintenance.
CUPE 402-01 President Mike Guraliuk said that the union wants to send a strong message to the Mayor and Council that they need to get back to the table ready to address key bargaining issues. “This dispute can end if the city gets serious about bargaining. The union is willing to go back to the bargaining table, but the city has chosen to dictate rather than negotiate.”
Guraliuk said that he has heard from many members and citizens who are shocked at Mayor Baldwin calling the lack of a long-term disability plan and fairness for casual and part-time workers ‘trivial’ issues.
“Mayor Baldwin’s comments demonstrate that he is out of touch with the needs of his front-line employees and that has come through in bargaining. We are talking about real people and what they need to get by in their day-to-day lives. It is not trivial and we are demonstrating that by taking job action,” said Guraliuk.
Key issues for the union include the need for clear hours of work for all employees, fair treatment for casual and part-time employees, and protection for members who become seriously ill.
