Concerns of members being ‘ignored’: CUPE
For the second time in less than three weeks, workers of the Regina Public School Division have voted in favour of job action.
Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 650 voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike mandate on July 17. Members of CUPE 3766, who also work at the Regina Public School Division, recently approved a similar vote by 95 per cent.
“Our members are being ignored,” says Glenn Douglas, CUPE 650 president. “Every other school division in Saskatchewan has been able to reach a collective agreement, and yet Regina Public won’t even make a reasonable offer. In fact, over the last two years, they have only bargained with us for three days.”
CUPE 650 represents 175 maintenance and tradespeople in the Regina Public School Division.
The most recent offer from the Regina Public School Division would see a two-year wage freeze and low wage increases in years three to five, says the union.
CUPE 650 members have not received a pay increase in almost four years, and yet the same board that ignores our members, gave themselves and senior administrators massive wage increases, says CUPE.
