Despite reaching a tentative agreement earlier this month, nearly 300 County of Simcoe municipal and social services workers could be going on strike.
Members of CUPE 5820 and 5820.01 — who are office, technical and clerical workers, as well as community services workers — had been negotiating a deal with the county since last December.
Negotiators from the County of Simcoe and the union's bargaining committee took part recently in a meeting with a provincially appointed mediator to discuss ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.
Both parties were able to approve, in principle, a tentative agreement on Aug. 2. However an overwhelming majority — 90 per cent — of the members voted to reject the offer during a ratification vote that took place Aug. 6, according to the union’s website.
Employees have said they were looking for “fair wages that are in line with inflation and the increasing cost of living,” according to a statement on the union’s website.
Wendy Monsinger, president of CUPE 5820, said Wednesday they are simply looking for a fair deal for its members.
“Our members want to be recognized for the value and the services they provide to the county and the residents. We are asking for a fair deal that recognizes the work that our members do. We work hard. Our members are caring, compassionate people who are proud of the work they do,” said Monsinger.
The “reality”, she added, is that these workers have been underpaid compared to people who do similar work in neighbouring counties and municipalities, noting York Region pays up to $8 more per hour for similar positions.
“As a result, we’re seeing our members move to other communities offering higher wages for the same work. This has affected employee retention, and the level of service we are able to provide,” said Monsinger.
“We aren’t asking to be paid the exact same as those in other regions, we are simply asking for the county to negotiate wages that are at least comparable, fair, and recognize the work that we do," she added.
Monsinger said they are hoping they can reach a fair deal, and are doing everything they can to avoid a strike, but are prepared to strike if a deal cannot be reached.
“We don’t want to go on strike, we want to get a deal,” she said. “Contrary to what the employer has communicated, we are ready to negotiate and will be in negotiations later this week. That is not the situation we want, and it can be easily avoided if the employer negotiates a fair deal when we return to the table.”
That sentiment was echoed on the union's website.
“The bargaining committee has heard you loud and clear. We will attempt to meet with the employer again in the near future,” read a statement on the union website.
An update, posted on the site this week by the bargaining committee, noted they are continuing with efforts to meet with the county and work out a mutually agreeable contract.
“The latest communication from the county is that they are willing to meet to reallocate the money that has already been offered. The county has made it clear there is no more money in the budget for us,” it read.
A post on the union's website last month accused the county of "refusing to negotiate fair wages that are in line with inflation and the increasing cost of living."
That has resulted in a continued loss of workers to neighbouring counties who they say offer higher wages. "This affects the quality of services that the county is able to provide to its residents."
Both parties will be in a legal strike or lockout position on Aug. 18, barring any further tentative agreements being agreed to.
A statement released Tuesday afternoon by Warden Basil Clark and the county's chief administrative officer, Mark Aitkin, said that while they respect the membership’s decision, the county is disappointed with the results of the vote.
“We believe the offer presented to the union was fair, aligned with market comparables and other compensation packages (union and non-union) at the county, and ultimately respected taxpayers’ dollars," noted the statement.
According to the county the offer included:
- A three-year agreement with a wage increase in the first year consisting of a fixed hourly rate increase of $1.25. This increase represents different percentage increases depending on the specific role but provides an average 3.5 per cent increase in year one across all positions. Years two and three provided a further 3 per cent increase each year;
- Additional health and dental benefits;
- Significant vacation enhancements, among other elements;
“CUPE leadership has indicated to us that they have no further plans to return to the bargaining table under the current terms. This would put these employees in a position to hold a legal work stoppage or be locked out by the county as of Aug. 18… although no confirmation has been given," notes the statement.
The county and the provincial mediator are holding a date for further discussions in hopes the CUPE bargaining team will return to the table to avoid a work stoppage.
Should that happen, all essential community support and services — including landfills, waste collections, transit, road/plowing operations, paramedics, long-term care and seniors services — will continue without impact as these services are not directly impacted by these collective agreements.
A strike would, however, result in the closure of the Simcoe County Museum, Simcoe County Archives, and Service Simcoe Contact Centre.
Ontario Works payments and child care fee subsidies will continue, however there could be some processing delays for new applications or implementing changes to existing case files as a result of the strike.
“This is one of 11 total collective bargaining agreements that the County of Simcoe holds with unionized employees,” noted the statement, pointing out the county has not experienced a labour stoppage in more than 20 years.
