Strike mandate a no-brainer, CUPE head says

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This article was published 12/07/2022 (799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The head of the city’s largest union says it’s no surprise the vast majority of municipal workers it represents voted in favour of a strike mandate after deeming the city’s latest wage offer as “a slap in the face.”

“The city’s latest wage offer was so low, a lot of our members just kind of saw it as a slap in the face. They were very angry,” said Gord Delbridge, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500. “(With) the current rates of inflation and (the city) coming back with 1.5 per cent (wage increases), we’re being offered less in some of the harshest economic conditions we’ve seen in a long time.”

Delbridge said the city offered a four-year contract with wage hikes of 1.5 per cent in the first year, 1.0 per cent in the second year, 1.5 per cent in the third year and 1.75 per cent in the fourth year.

Statistics Canada has reported the consumer price index has risen 8.7 per cent in Manitoba since last year. Delbridge said that would amount to a “pretty significant” reduction in the standard of living for many city workers.

Union members voted 93 per cent in favour of the strike mandate this week.

Delbridge did not say how much of an increase the union is seeking, but said it must be closer to the cost of living.

“I think that we’re miles apart on what it should be. I think that all working-class people deserve a wage increase that coincides with the cost of living… people are struggling, especially the lowest-paid members,” said Delbridge.

CUPE local 500 represents 5,000 civic employees, including many who support key city services at pools, libraries, 311, public works and water and waste.

The strike mandate gives the union’s negotiating committee permission to set a strike date if further negotiations don’t resolve the labour dispute. It does not guarantee a strike will occur.

While further negotiations are expected soon, Delbridge said job action is likely if the city doesn’t increase its wage offer.

“If the city is going to once again … neglect the workers and (put) us into a situation where we’re not able to come in to work because we’re not going to get paid properly, and then they shut down the city, that’s going to be costly, that’s going to very difficult for a lot of Winnipeggers,” he said.

Mayor Brian Bowman said the city has contingency plans to maintain services if labour action takes place. However, he stressed that isn’t an immediate risk.

“I don’t think we’re anywhere near that point at this stage. What we’re hearing from the union leaders is that a negotiated deal is preferred. That’s preferred by the city as well,” said Bowman.

The mayor declined to weigh in on whether the city can afford to provide wage hikes that match soaring inflation rates within its pandemic-depleted budget. He did note cost is a key factor in what the municipal government can realistically offer.

“We have to be responsible fiscal stewards of tax dollars and there is a limit within balanced budget legislation to what taxpayers can afford with multiple demands (and) COVID costs that continue to mount,” he said.

In an email, a city spokesman did not confirm the wage hike that was last offered or answer questions on whether the city could provide a pay hike.

“The city remains committed to negotiating in a fair manner and we will continue to make every reasonable effort to successfully negotiate an agreement,” wrote David Driedger.

Driedger declined further comment, noting that bargaining is ongoing.

In a recent statement to members, CUPE Local 500 said bargaining dates have been scheduled for July 26, 27 and 28.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga