collective bargaining

Heavy equipment sits in the middle of a side street next to a sidewalk under construction, with piles of gravel.

No new talks scheduled as Region of Queens, public works employees at impasse

December 11, 2024 by Rick Conrad

Contract talks between the Region of Queens and its unionized public works employees are at a stalemate, as either side is now in a legal strike or lockout position.

Local 1928 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents about 40 full-time and temporary employees in the region’s engineering and public works department.

They are responsible for maintaining the region’s streets, sidewalks, parks and other properties. They also work in waste and recycling facilities as well as water and sewage treatment plants.

The two sides met with a conciliator on Monday, with the union submitting a new proposal. The region responded about five hours later, with very little movement from their last position, according to a union representative.

Union members resoundingly rejected the region’s settlement offer on Dec. 2, with a 97 per cent vote in favour of strike action if needed.

The exterior of a building with windows and Region of Queens Municipality Administration Building printed on it.

Region of Queens employees carry strong strike mandate as conciliation talks to resume

December 5, 2024 by Rick Conrad

Engineering and public works employees with the Region of Queens have voted 97 per cent in favour of strike action.

The workers are responsible for maintaining the region’s streets, sidewalks, parks and other properties. They also work in waste and recycling facilities as well as water and sewage treatment plants.

The 36 members of Local 1928 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted on the region’s settlement offer on Monday. All but one of the members rejected it, voting in favour of strike action if needed.

The two sides are scheduled back at the bargaining table on Monday with a government-appointed conciliator.

Members are some of the lowest-paid municipal employees in Nova Scotia. They’re seeking closer wage parity with people doing similar work in municipalities like Shelburne and Bridgewater. They also want to protect overtime provisions for working weekends.

Postal Workers rally at the Post Office on 1323 5th Ave, downtown Prince George. One of a few Canada Post locations being picketed in our area. The picketers are dressed warmly as they hold their signs up for the camera. Three propane fires are burning to keep them warm. Photo Credit - Ian Gregg

Prince George’s Local Postal Workers Union President Predicts Delivering Santa’s Letters Sometime in December

December 3, 2024 by Ian Gregg

Rick Harris, President of CUPW Local 812 spoke with CFURadio about the ongoing postal worker strike against Canada Post. Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have been without a contract since December 31, 2023, and though they didn’t anticipate striking during the holiday rush, picket lines are now up at major Prince George locations.

Grievances include wages, safety concerns, and labor distribution, but workers are also advocating for expanded services, such as offering postal banking in rural areas, wellness check-ins, and weekend deliveries. Harris emphasized that these expansions would better serve Canadians while addressing workers’ concerns.

Neil Godbout, Executive Director of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged the disruption for local businesses but noted these services are essential for Canadians, and critical for rural areas. While negotiations remain at a standstill, Harris expressed optimism that CUPW members can return to delivering Santa’s letters soon.

A man in a white shirt and blue tie sits at a desk with framed certificates behind him.

Nova Scotia reaches ‘agreement in principle’ with teachers in contract talks

April 18, 2024 by Rick Conrad

Nova Scotia will likely avoid a teachers’ strike as government and union negotiators reached an “agreement in principle” late Wednesday night.

The Nova Scotia Teachers Union entered conciliation talks with government negotiators on Monday and Tuesday with a 98 per cent strike mandate. More than 10,000 teachers and educational specialists voted last Thursday to go on strike if an agreement couldn’t be reached.

Teachers are concerned about rising levels of violence in schools, teacher recruitment and retention, and compensation for substitute and permanent teachers.

Premier Tim Houston joined the talks himself on Monday night. Houston told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Thursday that he believes the agreement addresses many of the union’s concerns.

Ryan Lutes, president of the teachers union, said in an interview Thursday that the premier’s presence at the bargaining table seemed to move things along.

No new talks scheduled as Region of Queens, public works employees at impasse

Region of Queens employees carry strong strike mandate as conciliation talks to resume

Prince George’s Local Postal Workers Union President Predicts Delivering Santa’s Letters Sometime in December

Nova Scotia reaches ‘agreement in principle’ with teachers in contract talks

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