Strike date set for Cornwall inside workers

CORNWALL – The City of Cornwall’s inside workers will be following other CUPE groups in a possible strike later this month.

Andrea Addario with CUPE Communications told Cornwall Newswatch a strike or lockout date has been set for Local 3251 for Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 12:01 a.m.

Local 3251 represents around 150 full-time inside workers.

Meantime, a strike by the balance of front-line workers will happen on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 12:01 a.m. if no agreement can be reached.

They are approximately 400 full-time workers with outside jobs, as well as employees at the Cornwall Public Library and paramedics, who’ve have been without a contract since 2016 and 2015.

“Inside workers have reached the same impasse faced by all other city workers,” CUPE national representative Keith Sandford said. “We need to see some movement at the bargaining table if we are going to avoid a city-wide work stoppage. We’re ready to work hard in negotiations, but we’re also preparing for a strike as necessary.”

Asked whether the locals set to walk on May 17 would wait until May 23 to join their brothers and sisters on the picket line together, Addario said that would be determined closer to the strike date.

“A determination of what happens on the 17th at 12:01 a.m. will be made much closer to the time, not now. That will depend on a variety of factors, namely where the parties are on proximity to a fair deal,” Addario said in an email to CNW.

Glen-Stor-Dun Lodge workers also asked for a so-called no-board report but their matter will go to arbitration because, as an essential service, they can’t strike.

Paramedics can go out on a strike but only on a limited basis.