Will be able to walk off jobs on Dec. 22
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 338 members, who work as jail guards at the Kelowna RCMP Detachment in British Columbia, re-issued a 72‑hour strike notice to Commissionaires BC on Dec. 19, effective 6 a.m. on Dec. 22, said the union.
“Kelowna jail guards work to keep their community safe every day, and they deserve to make a living wage,” said Harry Nott, CUPE national representative and lead negotiator. “We have urged Commissionaires BC to reconsider their position, and meet with us prior to the beginning of this strike: we still believe this strike could be avoided.”
Nott said should Commissionaires BC revise their offer or agree to a bargaining session that the union would consider putting strike action on hold.
CUPE 338 represents 1,000 members who provide community services to Kelowna area residents and businesses. Seventeen of those members work at the Kelowna RCMP detachment as jail guards and provide services including overseeing prisoners, assisting with prisoner searches and cell searches, organizing meals, recording prisoner activity, finger printing, and dispensing approved prescription medications to persons in custody.
