Staff strike in community of St. Charles at a stalemate
Seven unionized staff members in St. Charles have been on strike for three weeks in a labour disruption that appears to be at a stalemate.
The union's business officer, Mike Ryan, said they have had several bargaining sessions and were close to an agreement on a contract "that we don't believe affects the economic realities of what's going on today."
"We all know that the price of everything is going up, we really don't believe that the members were out of line with what they're asking for due to the economic realities," Ryan said.
He said the union is seeking a "front-loaded" contract that provides relief from rising inflation now.
"A lot of the agreements that we have settled so far this year have been top heavy in that they are front-loaded, in that the first year there seems to be a higher bargaining percentage in the first year," Ryan said.
"Subsequent years are less because we realize the people need the money now. Gas, food prices, lodging … everything has gone through the roof in the past six to eight months … We know that they're going to settle down but people need help right away. Most of the collective agreements that we are settling now do recognize that."
He said they got a "flat out no" from the municipality. Despite the setback, he said spirits are high on the picket line and community support for the group has been huge.
They're hoping to propose some 'creative' bargaining with the municipality when the conciliation officer returns from her vacation on Monday.
CTV News received a statement on the labour dispute from St. Charles CAO Denis Turcot. It reads in part:
"Together, we believe the parties can negotiate to resolve the remaining issues, and reach a reasonable agreement for our staff, and that is affordable for taxpayers.
"It is disappointing that some municipal services are and could further be affected by the labour disruption, but our focus is on resolving issues at the table and minimizing any affect on or disruption of services to our residents. We will continue to work toward a fair and sustainable deal."
'A VERY FAIR AMOUNT'
Rick Lloyd works as a custodian/labourer for the town. He said walking the picket line is the last thing he wants to be doing.
"It's kind of tough there," Lloyd said.
"We've been trying to drum out support and inform the community what's going on. It all comes down to the cost of living, it's over eight per cent right now and I think we're asking for a very fair amount."
Lloyd said they've been working without a contract for the past six months and there hasn't been any real bargaining on the issue.
"We'd rather be back at work for the community. We enjoy doing our jobs," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.