The Brantford Expositor and the CBC are reporting that the roughly 110 OPSEU Local 259 members working at the Grand River Conservation Authority in Cambridge are willing to go on strike to back their demands for fair pay.
“During bargaining, they’ve been asking for wage increases that would simply bring their pay in line with workers doing similar work at similar organizations, something the employer has already done for its managers,” OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas told The Expositor.
“It’s simple, really. You can’t pay your managers on par with what other managers at similar organizations are making, and then turn around and tell your frontline staff they’re out of luck.”
The Local 259 bargaining team has requested conciliation dates.
“These OPSEU members are serious about fighting for the fair working conditions they need in order to protect the Grand River watershed,” said OPSEU First Vice-President and Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida in The Expositor.
The last thing we want to do is go on strike, especially during camping season,” said Rebecca Mitchell, OPSEU Local 259 bargaining chair, on CBC’s website.
“But we know the public value the work we do.”