Local Strike Action and CMRC

This afternoon - the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) issued the following statement in respect of possible strike action at the Complex, in the event of a strike by members of the IUOE - union that represents City of WL workers:

There are lots of questions about what happens if there is job action by City employees so here’s the scoop;

While everyone is hopeful that there will be no job action we wanted to ensure CMRC users and the public have as much information as possible.

The CMRC is fully open and all programs and services are running as normal at the moment.

The Union which represents the workers at the CMRC will be in a lawful position to strike when the Labour Relations Board has set essential service levels and the Union has provided the City with 72 hours strike notice. Neither has yet happened. The City and the Union are meeting at the Labour Relations Board Friday, Feb 1st to attempt to negotiate essential service levels.

Should there be job action by City Employees the CMRC will be COMPLETELY CLOSED until it is resolved, and possibly for some time after while we get things going again.

This possible closure will affect ALL programs and services in the CMRC and even those run by CMRC employees out in the community. These services include (but are not limited to)- Arenas, pool, Gibraltar Room, recreation programs, Rec and Roll after school care, Swim Lessons, public swimming and skating, etc..

All planned events, private bookings, ice rentals (minor hockey, figure skating, rec league, etc..), Pool rentals (Blue Fins, etc..), Gibraltar Room bookings, or other CMRC uses will also be cancelled for the duration of the job action and possibly for some time after. All sport group offices, arena pro shop and concessions will also be inaccessible during this time.

While we would hope to be able to give you as much notice of job action as possible it is quite likely that in the event of job action such notification would occur less than 72 hours from the commencement of job action, and that such notification would likely occur via the media, City and CMRC web-site and Facebook pages so please keep your eyes on these sources so you don’t get caught unaware.

As we have no idea when/if a job action will occur, or how long it may last, it is impossible for us to advise users on this aspect.

Thank you for your patience as we try to get through this challenging period.