Bargaining Update #39 - NO STRIKE tonight at midnight - CUPE Local 500 and City of Winnipeg reach tentative agreement
October 11, 2022 at 7:30 PM
CUPE 500 has been presented the (same) tentative agreement from the City of Winnipeg following an emergency meeting of the City’s Executive Policy Committee held late this afternoon.
“I extend my deepest thanks to our negotiating team and strike committee for their hard work during a tough round of bargaining, and to all our membership for their steadfast resolve and support,” said Gord Delbridge, President of CUPE Local 500. “We are not happy with the way the City handled this process, but are relieved that we have a package to review prior to bringing it to our members for their vote.”
The tentative agreement presented will be reviewed by the CUPE 500 bargaining committee for any inconsistencies with what has been agreed on, and then presented to CUPE Local 500 members in ratification meetings that will be scheduled for the coming weeks. Details will be forthcoming.
The tentative agreement presented puts the planned strike action on pause, pending the acceptance or rejection of the new contract by CUPE 500 members.
There will be no strike tonight at midnight. All members are expected to attend their regular scheduled shift.
While CUPE 500 correctly understood that a tentative agreement was achieved on Monday evening, a memo distributed to staff by the City’s Chief Administrative Officer on Tuesday morning claimed otherwise, prompting CUPE 500 to push for the Executive Policy Committee’s immediate action.
CUPE 500 will continue to pursue whether this indiscretion constitutes an unfair labour practice.
“It is unfortunate that we had to push until mere hours before our strike was set to begin,” said Delbridge. “Leaving this much uncertainty for workers and the public was unfair, but we are satisfied that the tentative agreement is one we can bring to our members for their vote.”
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please keep checking your email, our social media pages, and cupe500.mb.ca for updates. If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at union@cupe500.mb.ca.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee
Gord Delbridge, President, CUPE Local 500
Carmen Prefontaine, President, Civic Services Unit
Phil Dembicki, President, Community Services Unit
Nicholas McClurg, President, Public Works Unit/Local 500 SAO
Madelaine Dwyer, President, Water and Waste Unit
Rebecca Scott, Member at Large/Local 500 SAO
Jon Shalapata, Member at Large
Alex McClurg, CUPE National Staff Representative
Kevin Carswell, CUPE National Staff Representative
Dale Edmunds, CUPE National Staff Representative
Karen Byzuk, Local 500 Staff
