Workers voted 93 per cent in favour of job action: CUPE
In a fight to protect pension rights, administrative, technical and library staff at Carleton University began job action on March 5, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
After negotiations with Carleton University broke off in the early hours, the union expressed disappointment and frustration at the university’s continued attempts to strip pension language from its employees’ collective agreement, said CUPE.
“Throughout bargaining, Carleton has placed obstacles in the path to a fair deal by insisting that a new collective agreement remove our bargaining rights around pensions,” said Jerrett Clark, president of CUPE, Local 2424.
“The prospect of a precarious retirement makes CUPE members even more determined to keep their bargaining rights around pensions. They know it’s the best way to ensure their pension will be there for them in their retirement, as well as for future Carleton workers,” said Clark.
Months ago, the members of CUPE identified the protection of their pension as a priority for this round of bargaining, voting 93 per cent in favour of job action. On Monday morning, workers set up two picket lines at Carleton’s campus, according to CUPE.
