Hitting 'brick wall,' Town of Grand Falls-Windsor locks out its unionized workers
Mayor says union had 'complete unwillingness to co-operate'
CBC News · Posted: Jul 15, 2021
Benefits road block
The major road block, according to Manuel, has centred on the workers' medical plan. Under the old collective agreement, the town paid 100 per cent of workers' insurance premiums. Manuel said that is "unheard of," as most other municipalities and the provincial government pay only 50 per cent.
Manuel said insurance increases are rising, and the town wants the workers to pay for those increases. He also said the old agreement requires both management and union to agree on things like job vacancies, job postings and finalizing job descriptions, powers that often lie solely with management.
"It's just not working the way it is now. We've been encountering a ton of trouble with it. And we want to get the rights that we should have as management, because we want to be able to find efficiencies for the citizens," Manuel said.
The town is in good financial shape, he said, but these issues have "big financial implications" for its future.
Possible service disruptions
The lockout means a small group of managers, along with contractors, will be responsible for keeping the town running.
In a public advisory to its residents, the town said essential services like garbage and recycling collection will continue, but some other services will be disrupted. All playgrounds are closed save two, and the town hall itself is closed to the public with services like tax collection moving to phone-only.
"We hope things will continue to go as normal but obviously, we're not sure. This is a fluid situation to see how things go, so we certainly can't guarantee it," Manuel said.
He said the town is willing to resume talks with the union.
CUPE 1349 president Tammie Greening said in the release that while information pickets will go up, the union will do its best not to disrupt community activities.
"We will try not to affect weekly children's programs," she said. "We have a good rapport with our community groups, and we hope they won't be asked to take on any of our work. However, if the town or anyone else performs work that belongs to our bargaining unit you can expect to see picket lines at that site."
She said she's also concerned the town might try to use student workers "as pawns," adding the town should not involve students in the labour dispute and instead point them toward volunteer groups in the community.
"We are very sorry and apologize to residents and businesses that this couldn't be resolved at the bargaining table. But we have not given up hope that the employer will sit down with us and resume negotiations," said Greening.
"The ball is in their court."
Mayor says union had 'complete unwillingness to co-operate'
CBC News · Posted: Jul 15, 2021
The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor locked out about 100 unionized employees Thursday morning. (The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor/Facebook)
Following months of bargaining that failed to produce a deal, the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor has locked out its unionized workforce.
The lockout took effect 5 a.m. Thursday, after the central Newfoundland town issued a media release Wednesday night with the mayor saying the union had a "complete unwillingness to co-operate" on a a new collective agreement.
Mayor Barry Manuel said the town made the move after it appeared to them the nearly 100 unionized workers of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1349 were not going to strike, despite voting 99 per cent in favour of strike action on July 6.
"I just believe the optics, obviously, would look better if they didn't strike and if we were to lock them out," Manuel told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning on Thursday.
CUPE's national representative Ed White told CBC News he wasn't available for an interview Thursday morning.
Workers in Grand Falls-Windsor warn of possible strike after rejecting latest contract offer
In a media release the union said it was "shocked and disappointed" to find out on Facebook on Wednesday night that its members were being locked out.
CUPE national representative Nicole Dunphy said in the release members were hoping the town would call them back to the bargaining table.
"Instead, we saw managers and supervisors loading town vehicles and equipment into trucks and trailers last night," she Dunphy said. "They did not even have the courtesy to inform the union before making the announcement on Facebook. That shows a complete lack of respect for the employees and for the town."
The previous agreement between the town and the workers — who take care of everything from playgrounds to municipal enforcement to administration — expired Dec. 31. Manuel said bargaining for a new one began in October but soon reached an impasse.
"Right from the beginning, we ran into a brick wall," Manuel said.
Following months of bargaining that failed to produce a deal, the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor has locked out its unionized workforce.
The lockout took effect 5 a.m. Thursday, after the central Newfoundland town issued a media release Wednesday night with the mayor saying the union had a "complete unwillingness to co-operate" on a a new collective agreement.
Mayor Barry Manuel said the town made the move after it appeared to them the nearly 100 unionized workers of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1349 were not going to strike, despite voting 99 per cent in favour of strike action on July 6.
"I just believe the optics, obviously, would look better if they didn't strike and if we were to lock them out," Manuel told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning on Thursday.
CUPE's national representative Ed White told CBC News he wasn't available for an interview Thursday morning.
Workers in Grand Falls-Windsor warn of possible strike after rejecting latest contract offer
In a media release the union said it was "shocked and disappointed" to find out on Facebook on Wednesday night that its members were being locked out.
CUPE national representative Nicole Dunphy said in the release members were hoping the town would call them back to the bargaining table.
"Instead, we saw managers and supervisors loading town vehicles and equipment into trucks and trailers last night," she Dunphy said. "They did not even have the courtesy to inform the union before making the announcement on Facebook. That shows a complete lack of respect for the employees and for the town."
The previous agreement between the town and the workers — who take care of everything from playgrounds to municipal enforcement to administration — expired Dec. 31. Manuel said bargaining for a new one began in October but soon reached an impasse.
"Right from the beginning, we ran into a brick wall," Manuel said.
Benefits road block
The major road block, according to Manuel, has centred on the workers' medical plan. Under the old collective agreement, the town paid 100 per cent of workers' insurance premiums. Manuel said that is "unheard of," as most other municipalities and the provincial government pay only 50 per cent.
Manuel said insurance increases are rising, and the town wants the workers to pay for those increases. He also said the old agreement requires both management and union to agree on things like job vacancies, job postings and finalizing job descriptions, powers that often lie solely with management.
"It's just not working the way it is now. We've been encountering a ton of trouble with it. And we want to get the rights that we should have as management, because we want to be able to find efficiencies for the citizens," Manuel said.
The town is in good financial shape, he said, but these issues have "big financial implications" for its future.
Grand Falls-Windsor Mayor Barry Manuel says he can't guarantee there won't be service disruptions during the lockout. (Chris Ensing/CBC)
Possible service disruptions
The lockout means a small group of managers, along with contractors, will be responsible for keeping the town running.
In a public advisory to its residents, the town said essential services like garbage and recycling collection will continue, but some other services will be disrupted. All playgrounds are closed save two, and the town hall itself is closed to the public with services like tax collection moving to phone-only.
"We hope things will continue to go as normal but obviously, we're not sure. This is a fluid situation to see how things go, so we certainly can't guarantee it," Manuel said.
He said the town is willing to resume talks with the union.
CUPE 1349 president Tammie Greening said in the release that while information pickets will go up, the union will do its best not to disrupt community activities.
"We will try not to affect weekly children's programs," she said. "We have a good rapport with our community groups, and we hope they won't be asked to take on any of our work. However, if the town or anyone else performs work that belongs to our bargaining unit you can expect to see picket lines at that site."
She said she's also concerned the town might try to use student workers "as pawns," adding the town should not involve students in the labour dispute and instead point them toward volunteer groups in the community.
"We are very sorry and apologize to residents and businesses that this couldn't be resolved at the bargaining table. But we have not given up hope that the employer will sit down with us and resume negotiations," said Greening.
"The ball is in their court."
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