Prince Albert City Hall. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Job Action

Outside workers for City of P.A. in favour of strike, no date set at this time

Nov 10, 2023 | 1:23 PM

A second strike is looming for the City of Prince Albert.

A vote was held on Thursday for outside workers with 80 per cent agreeing to job action. CUPE 160, which represents the workers, has over 300 members with 160 of them being permanent employees.

There’s currently no date for a strike as the vote was held to see what members thought about the idea. If they officially go on strike, they would join inside workers for the city who’ve been off the job since Sept. 11.

“We hope that this vote will send a clear message to the city that we can reach a fair collective agreement that works for both parties without job action,” said Leslie Mourot Bartley, president of CUPE 160.

She added talks between the two sides, which have been ongoing for over a year, have stalled of late. One issue the two seem to be far apart on is wages as the union’s latest ask was a 16 per cent raise over four years with the city countering with 11 per cent.

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CUPE also explained the city is pushing for several concessions such as a reduction in sick days and changes to overtime call back. However, the city responded by saying that they’re asking employees to give one of their 15 sick days a year to the sick bank so people with serious conditions can get more time off and that they want to prevent people from taking overtime shifts within 24 hours of calling in sick unless there are no other options.

“Collective bargaining is a process that only works when both sides are willing to give up a little to reach a settlement. Our bargaining team is willing to look at compromises that work for both parties, but that can only happen with meaningful movement from the employer,” added Mourot Bartley.

There are a few things that would need to be done first before a strike could happen. This includes declaring an impasse, mandatory conciliation, and agreement between the two sides on which workers would be considered essential.

CUPE 160 represents workers at the water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, sanitation department, parks and recreation, roadways, rink operation staff, janitors at all city facilities, fleet mechanics, airport maintenance workers, and cemetery staff.

Meanwhile, the city said they are planning to ensure that there would be little impact on services if CUPE 160 officially goes on strike.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow