Editor’s note: This story has been corrected from an earlier version to show inside workers, Local 3251, is still awaiting on a reply from the city on contract negotiations and has not called for a no-board report.
CORNWALL – Calling this month’s round of conciliation talks “completely fruitless,” the Canadian Union of Public Employees has started the process to trigger a strike or lockout.
CUPE announced today (April 25) that it has asked the conciliation officer with the Ministry of Labour to issue a no-board report.
That would trigger a strike by CUPE or a lockout by the City of Cornwall, 17 days after its endorsed by the province, which is likely in the coming days. A strike or lockout would likely happen sometime in the middle of next month.
The CUPE locals represent nearly 250 full-time outside workers, librarians, paramedics and Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge employees.
Inside workers are still waiting for a reply from the city bargaining group on a proposal from the last conciliation meeting.
“It’s time to get things moving,” CUPE national spokesman Alison Denis said. “Perhaps a deadline will focus City minds toward resolution.”
The workers have been without a contract since 2015 and, in some cases, 2016.
While they have asked for a no-board report, Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge workers are an essential service and can’t strike. Their dispute would go to binding arbitration.
Paramedics can strike on a limited basis. Three ambulances would be on the road instead of the regular complement of nine, the union said.