Labour disruption begins as City at an impasse with CUPE Local 32 negotiations

 Cambridge, Ont., February 2, 2017 – The City’s outside workers, represented by CUPE Local 32, have rejected the City’s latest offer and called for a labour disruption, effective immediately. While essential services, such as road clearing, will continue, some City services are impacted.

“We appreciate the community’s concern and patience as the City works to limit the impact on services that residents value,” said City Manager Gary Dyke. “We remain committed to continue negotiations with the Union, as we have been from the beginning. We are offering solutions already in place with other CUPE locals to ensure fairness and payment equity now and in the long term. We hope CUPE Local 32 members will return to the table to continue talking. Together, we need to negotiate a reasonable agreement for all our employees that is affordable for taxpayers. We want to resolve this matter and restore services as quickly as possible.”

During the labour disruption, public safety will be maintained at all times. Residents will continue to have access to safe, high-quality drinking water. Main arterial roads will receive the same level of snow clearing service, but residents may notice some delays in clearing side streets and sidewalks. Because some City services require a large complement of qualified staff to operate, there will be other impacts.

Impacted City services

City parks and trails cannot be maintained and will be closed.

All arenas will be closed, including all programs and services. City staff is working directly with sport organizations and will facilitate arrangements for highest-priority bookings at the Cambridge Sports Park and at neighbouring facilities where possible. Closed facilities include:

• Galt Arena Gardens
• Dickson Centre
• Duncan McIntosh Centre
• Hespeler Arenas #1 and #2
• Karl Homuth Arena
• Preston Auditorium

All pools will be closed, including all programs and services:

• John Dolson Pool
• Ed Newland Pool (already closed due to maintenance)
• George Hancock Pool (already closed due to maintenance)
• W. G. Johnson Pool (already closed due to construction)

All outdoor rinks will remain closed

The City’s website will continue to be kept up to date. For the latest information and updates, please visit www.cambridge.ca/labournegotiations. If you have any questions, the City has set up a special Labour Disruption Line at 519-740-4637.

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Primary Media Contact:
Andrea Montgomery
Director of Communications (A)
Office of the City Manager
City of Cambridge
montgomerya@cambridge.ca
(519) 740-4680 ext. 4606 / cell: (289) 983-1781