CUPE Local 2262, RDCK return to bargaining table in NDCC labour dispute
By Bruce Fuhr
There soon could be an end to the labour dispute between the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) and CUPE Local 2262 workers at the Nelson and District Community Complex.
As of Tuesday, the two sides are back at the bargaining table.
“We back at the table with the employer,” Steve Stringfellow, National Rep for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, told The Nelson Daily.
Stringfellow didn’t want to elaborate on how negotiations were proceeding agreeing with the employer to a “media blackout” as bargaining continues.
“Obviously we’re happy to be back at the table but that’s all I can really say right now as we both agreed to a media blackout while negotiations are ongoing,” Stringfellow explained.
This hasn’t been the norm as during the strike that has closed down at time different parts of the NDCC as both the CUPE Local 2262 and RDCK took to the media to air their respective messages.
Unionized workers have been without a contract for 18 months after the last deal expired in February 2011.
CUPE Local 2262 is asking for two percent or cost of living wage increase.
The RDCK is offering one percent.
The union turned up the heat in bargaining by issuing 72-hour strike notice Monday, September 11.
The two sides agreed to a cooling off period before the union took action by erecting information picket lines Friday, September 21.
Stringfellow said those picket lines would continue regardless of bargaining.
Tuesday the pool and child minding was shut down while staff manned information lines outside the main entrance.
Wednesday, the pool is closed again with the arena is slated to be shut down Thursday if bargaining fails to provide a settlement.
RDCK letter: http://thenelsondaily.com/news/rdck-cao-addresses-ndcc-labour-dispute-21113#.UGty2xiaGHk
CUPE letter: http://thenelsondaily.com/news/cupe-2262-members-nelson-still-without-contract-21137#.UGtysxiaGHk
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