Vancouver Art Gallery workers go on strike

Bargaining battles over concessions, wages: CUPE

Vancouver Art Gallery workers go on strike
After more than eight months at the bargaining table, the two sides remain at odds over two central issues, said CUPE. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

After rejecting the employer’s final offer on Feb. 1, workers at the Vancouver Art Gallery walked off the job on Feb. 5.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) served strike notice on Jan. 28 but continued to bargain through the week in hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement.

“For months we have been seeking fair treatment from gallery business managers, yet we continue to face concession demands and two-tier working conditions and scheduling models,” said Warren Williams, CUPE 15 president.

Following the union’s rejection of the employer’s last offer, gallery managers announced their intention to make use of the B.C. Labour Code’s “last offer vote” provision and force a vote among workers on the employer’s rejected proposal. That vote is not expected until Feb. 12, said the union.

“The employer has chosen to force a vote on its rejected proposal rather than spending time at the bargaining table working out a fair and negotiated settlement,” said Williams.

After more than eight months at the bargaining table, the two sides remain at odds over two central issues, said CUPE.

Art Gallery managers continue to pursue a major concession regarding a long-standing scheduling model that would create two-tiered working conditions and refuse to move from their position. CUPE representatives have repeatedly rejected the employer’s wage proposals, which they say fails to keep pace with inflation and falls far short of addressing the cost of living challenges experienced by gallery employees, said the union.

CUPE 15 represents more than 7,000 municipal, community social service, education and not-for-profit workers in Vancouver and is B.C.’s largest CUPE local.

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