Union members walk along Central Ave. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

City Hall

No deal: CUPE 882 rejects agreement that would have ended P.A. strike

Oct 18, 2023 | 11:53 AM

The City of Prince Albert’s inside workers have rejected a deal from the end of September with 81 per cent of members opposed.

CUPE 882 has been on strike since Sept. 11 and it has been weeks since any bargaining happened.

Mira Lewis, national representative with CUPE, said that workers want more assurance about exactly how any re-structuring will happen.

“There is a lack of trust. The restructuring, the call centre that is being proposed is a significant sticking point for the membership,” she said.

“There is no reason for us to believe that there isn’t other restructuring happening. The employer refusing to negotiate it is a significant sticking point.”

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The union also said that with the increase in minimum wage in Saskatchewan to $14/hour, six job classifications are now below minimum wage and must be increased by law.

The city said in September they had tabled their final offer, which ended up at 11.5 per cent over four years once the increased classifications are included.

What comes next?

“The membership has rejected what the employer was willing to do so now we have to start from scratch,” Lewis said.

Addressing rumours that some workers are making more money on strike than while working, Lewis said it is true in some cases.

“The union pays minimum wage so yes, some people are making more on the picket line but a lot of people are making a lot less,” Lewis said.

Casual employees who don’t work a high number of consistent hours can also earn more while picketing because they spend more time there.

“I don’t think it’s an enticement. The picket line is not a happy place. People have walked out there through rain and sleet. Yesterday they were bringing out their sweaters and jackets, their feet are soaked, they walk 30,000 steps a day, they’re in the elements, they’re getting hollered at by people,” she said.

“It’s not an enticement to be on the picket line.”

The union has requested the Executive Director of Labour Relations start scheduling dates for both parties to sit down and resume discussions.

In the afternoon, the City of Prince Albert released a statement saying they will now wait for the Union to table a counter-offer.

“The mandate of the City of Prince Albert has not changed. We cannot consider a proposal that comes at more cost to the taxpayer,” said Kiley Bear, Director of Corporate Services.

“Following the vote last night, we are considering our next steps. In the meantime we invite the union to submit a new proposal for our review.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com