CUPE 118 & CITY OF PORT ALBERNI CONTRACT

RATIFICATION VOTE

Monday March 31,2025

5:15 P.M.

4904 Montrose St.

  Must be in attendance to vote

Doors will be locked at time of vote after proposed settlement has been reviewed

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY,

After 2 long days at the table (Our committee and the employer spent an additional 10hrs yesterday), both sides have made productive gains but unfortunately, we are still stuck on a few important issues. We have asked for mediation and the Employer will get back to us sometime next week with an answer. We are committed to a fair and equitable deal for all our members.

In the interim, the OT BAN WILL CONTINUE AS IS.

If there is an emergency, our members will go out to remedy the situation asap with the union’s consent. So as before, the Employer is expected to notify the Union and we will dispatch the appropriate member(s) to deal with the situation.

Once again we thank you for your patience.

In Solidarity,

Stacy Watton

President CUPE Local 118

on behalf of the negotiating committee

Good morning everyone,

Job action started at 9:30am this morning. The employer and the Union have released emails to our members and have been interviewed by 93.3 the peak. I also did a phone interview with the Times Colonist (not sure if they interviewed the employer). We also rolled out our newspaper ads, radio ads, and mailouts. These are not negotiating specific but are more to make the taxpayers aware of who we are and what we do.

The following is some information that you can share with family and friends when they ask what is going on. If you are approached by the public for answers, use this as a guide and don’t go “on the record” for anyone. You can redirect them to Norm Fudge or Brandon Colclough while I am away. I will be available for further comments on Feb 12th.

CUPE 118 Conversation Guide: Talking to Friends and Family about Job Action

Starting any job action is a significant step, and your friends and family might have questions

about what it means and why you’re doing it. Here’s a guide to help you explain the situation:

1. What Is an Overtime Ban?

 An overtime ban means workers are no longer taking on additional hours beyond their

regular schedules.

 It’s a legal form of job action that allows workers to push for progress at the bargaining

table while continuing to perform their regular duties.

2. How Will This Affect Services?

 Standard service levels will continue to be maintained, and we remain committed to

serving the community.

 However, tasks that typically rely on overtime may be delayed.

3. Why Are Workers Taking This Step?

 We’ve been negotiating for months, but several of our key issues remain unresolved.

 Workers are frustrated with the lack of progress and believe this action is necessary to

encourage meaningful discussions with the employer.

 Our goal is to reach a fair deal that recognizes the value of the work we do and

addresses the challenges we face, like the rising cost of living while also ensuring

improved services for residents and businesses.

4. How Can Friends and Family Support You?

 Listen and Understand: Take some time to hear why this matters to us and what we’re

trying to achieve.

 Show Solidarity: Voice your support for municipal workers in conversations with others,

or by attending any events or solidarity actions we organize.

 Be Patient: Understand that we’re taking this step to help move negotiations forward,

and we hope for a resolution as soon as possible.

5. What Are the Key Outstanding Issues?

There are two key issues that remain unresolved:

1. A Fair Wage Increase:

o We’re asking for a wage increase in line with other regional settlements.

o Workers are facing rising costs for housing, groceries, and everyday essentials,

and fair wages are necessary to keep up with the high cost of living.

2. A Job Review Process:

o We want to implement a job review process that considers the evolving demands

of workers roles and ensures that job classifications are fair and accurate.

o This process would help ensure that workers are properly recognized and

compensated for their contributions, which also improves services for the

community.

o The employer has committed to market adjustments for a few positions, but we

are seeking a job review process to look at extending market wage adjustments

to a wider range of jobs.

6. Can I Expect Further Job Action?

 At this time, the overtime ban is the only job action being implemented.

 Our hope is that this step will prompt meaningful progress at the bargaining table,

making further actions unnecessary.

 However, if negotiations stall or the employer continues to delay addressing key issues,

additional job action may be considered.

 Any decisions about further job action will be communicated clearly and with as much

notice as possible.

Once again, thankyou for your support of the negotiating committee and patience as we continue to move forward fighting for a fair deal for all workers.

Stacy Watton,

President CUPE Local 118

on behalf of the negotiating committee

Hi All, 

 

As part of our efforts to move bargaining forward, we served 72-hour strike notice this morning and will be implementing an overtime ban starting Friday, January 31.  

 

What does this mean?  

 

An overtime ban means members will only work their regular scheduled hours and will not accept or perform any work beyond those hours. This action is a legal job action under the Labour Relations Code and sends a clear message to the employer while ensuring essential services continue. 

 

Here’s what you need to know: 

1.      What We’re Asking of You: 

o    Attend work as scheduled and perform your regular duties. 

o    Do not accept or agree to work overtime hours under any circumstances. 

 

2.      If You’re Asked or Directed to Work Overtime: 

o    Politely inform your supervisor that you are participating in the overtime ban as part of the legal job action. 

o    If you feel uncertain about how to handle a situation, get in touch with a union steward or a member of your bargaining committee. 

 

What happens next? 

The overtime ban will start at 8:01 am Friday morning. We’ve also been able to schedule two days of bargaining with the City and we are scheduled to meet February 12 and 13.  

 

We know that starting job action is a significant step, but we feel this is critical to achieving a new contract that addresses your key priorities and is in line with other regional settlements.  

 

Thank you for your ongoing solidarity and support of your bargaining committee. Together, we are moving closer to the fair contract you deserve. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of the bargaining team.  

 

In solidarity, 

Stacy Watton, 

President CUPE Local 118

on behalf of  The CUPE 118 Port Alberni Bargaining Committee

Dear CUPE 118 members,

In early December, in effort to progress negotiations, the local agreed to seek joint
mediation with the employer. Unfortunately, the mediation dates provided were too far
out and would still leave members waiting for a contract.

Today, the union sent a request to the Labour Relations Board to release the dates that
were booked to begin mediation with the City of Port Alberni. The bargaining committee
is instead asking the employer to meet as soon as possible. It is important that we reach
a tentative agreement that we know you can support and believe this is the best path
forward at this time.

The priorities of our members cannot continue to be delayed waiting for mediation
months after the last bargaining date. It is our goal, as always, to reach an agreement
that reflects the important work you do to keep our community and local economy
running.

We will continue to update you at all steps in the process. You can expect to receive
information via email (sign up for updates here: https://qrco.de/cupe118), on the CUPE
118 website, or on your union notice board.

In solidarity,
Stacy Watton

CUPE 118

City of Port Alberni

Special Meeting

Strike Vote

5:15 PM

Tuesday November 5, 2024

Steelworkers Hall

4904 Montrose St.

CUPE 118

SPECIAL MEETING

CITY OF PORT ALBERNI

NEGOTIATION UPDATE

5:15PM

Thursday October 10 2024

Steelworkers Hall

4904 Montrose

Important negotiation update

 please attend if you are able