Saturday, February 23, 2013

IUOE/City of WL go back to the table on Mon

Update at 9:38pm Sat Feb 23rd from Williams Lake Tribune

Editor's Note - make sure you aren't drinking or eating anything while reading the following.  Consider yourself warned!

From Williams Lake Tribune:


By Monica Lamb-Yorski - Williams Lake Tribune

Published: February 23, 2013 8:07 PM
Updated: February 23, 2013 8:07 PM
The union representing city workers on strike in Williams Lake and the city will meet with a mediator Monday in Williams Lake, said International Union of Operating Engineers Local 882B representative John Dube.

Picket lines will remain up at all city work sites as around 110 city workers participate in the second week of a strike that began Feb. 16.

The two sides have to go over some changes to what has to be provided with essential services, Dube told the Tribune Saturday night.

"The Labour Relations Board got a hold of us after we and the city filed an unfair labour practice and suggested we meet with a mediator. Our union's business manager Saundra Taylor agreed that we would attend the meeting."

Dube said the mediation is non-binding and the mediator cannot impose any agreement.

"If we find we're not getting anywhere we can book out. Hopefully we can find a medium where we can move forward."

Mayor Kerry Cook said it is very important the two sides get back to the table.

"The city is in support of respectful meaningful discussions. We need to resolve this. The sooner we can back to the table the sooner we can do this."

The city has never left the table, Cook added.

"I am hoping that this time will be different. There has to be a willingness to negotiate in a respectful manner."

Original Blog Post:

Welcome to Williams Lake reports that John Dube is confirming that both the IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers) and the City of Williams Lake will be returning to mediated discussions around a new collective agreement on Monday

Mr. Dube explains the process which you can read here

In my humble opinion - the City must pull their request for "rollbacks" and agree to hear the IUOE proposals at the same time, the City makes theirs to the IUOE before we'll see any real progress...

SBF

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You're right, Mayor Cook ... the city never left the table because they were never really there to negotiate in good faith since last summer! Easy to be holier than thou when you were never really there. Sometimes I wonder what union members in your family think of everything that's gone on ..... just askin'!!