Thousands of City of Calgary workers, represented by CUPE 38, have voted in favor of strike action after unsuccessful negotiations with the city. The union represents a wide range of city workers, including development workers, bylaw staff, engineering techs, water treatment staff, administrative workers, utility and construction technicians, social workers, and urban planners, among others. The union also represents around 900 Calgary Police Service civilian staff. According to CUPE 38 president D’Arcy Lanovaz, 89 percent of the 4,200 members who voted were in favor of strike action. Members are concerned with wages not keeping up with inflation and the lack of flexibility to work from home.
One of the key issues for CUPE 38 members is the ability to work from home. They are requesting to be able to work a minimum of two days at home, with additional work-from-home days during the week approved at the supervisory level rather than senior management. Negotiations between the union and the city have been ongoing since November, with mediation taking place in March. Despite these efforts, three offers from the city have been rejected by the union. CUPE 38 representatives met with the city through a mediator again on Tuesday but no agreement or resolution was reached. The next step is to resume discussions without resorting to work-to-rule action, where union members can refuse overtime and extra duties. If no agreement is reached during work-to-rule action, rotating strikes will be considered.
There is currently no timeline for when work-to-rule action may begin, and the situation is described as very fluid by Lanovaz. If rotating strikes are necessary, they will be the next step in exerting pressure on the city to meet the union’s demands. Global News reached out to the City of Calgary for comment on the situation, but as of now, no response has been received. The possibility of a strike looms over the city as negotiations between CUPE 38 and the city have reached a standstill. Both sides will need to find a resolution to avoid disruptions in city services and work stoppages.
The decision to go on strike is a significant one for CUPE 38 members, as it will impact not only their own work conditions and wages but also the services they provide to the residents of Calgary. The union’s concerns about wages not keeping up with inflation and the need for more flexible work-from-home arrangements are critical issues that need to be addressed by the city in order to avoid a prolonged strike. The threat of work-to-rule and rotating strikes adds pressure on the city to come to a satisfactory agreement with the union. Both parties will need to engage in meaningful dialogue and compromise to avoid disruptions to city services.
As negotiations continue between CUPE 38 and the City of Calgary, both sides will need to find common ground on key issues such as wages and work-from-home arrangements. The fact that thousands of city workers have voted in favor of strike action shows the level of dissatisfaction among union members with the current offers from the city. The possibility of work-to-rule action and rotating strikes adds a sense of urgency to reach a resolution and avoid disruptions to city services. It is essential for both parties to come to an agreement that addresses the concerns of CUPE 38 members while also ensuring the continued delivery of essential services to the residents of Calgary. The coming days will be critical in determining the outcome of the negotiations and whether a strike can be averted.
In conclusion, the vote by CUPE 38 members in favor of strike action highlights the deep-seated issues that need to be addressed in negotiations with the City of Calgary. The union’s concerns about wages and work-from-home arrangements are key sticking points that will need to be resolved to avoid disruptions in city services. Both parties will need to engage in productive dialogue and compromise to reach a satisfactory agreement and prevent the need for work-to-rule action or rotating strikes. The outcome of the negotiations will have a significant impact on the work conditions of city workers and the services provided to the residents of Calgary. It is essential for a resolution to be reached swiftly to avoid any prolonged disruptions.
