Conciliation failing contract talks between crossing guards and Halifax Regional Municipality
HALIFAX, July 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian union of Public Employees (CUPE) representing crosswalk guards with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) says conciliation has failed in contract negotiations.
"We have had three days of bargaining and one day of conciliation that failed," says CUPE National Representative Karen MacKenzie. "The main sticking point in negotiations is that the workers have asked for parity of wages with their counterparts in Cape Breton, based on annual salary."
"Crossing guards provide a valuable service to our communities. The employer, HRM, has decided they deserve less than crossing guards in other municipalities and that's unacceptable," says MacKenzie.
CUPE Local 4814 President Glenna Casavechia says, "The union will be requesting a meeting with Mayor Mike Savage in the near future. This is precarious work and these workers deserve better."
HRM crossing guards are part-time workers with split shifts of 3.5 hours per day and they travel back and forth to their worksite several times each day. In addition, their worksites are increasingly more dangerous with high traffic volumes and the speed of motorists.
CUPE Local 4814 represents approximately 155 members who work as crossing guards employed by the Halifax Regional Municipality. Before and after the school day, they help children cross the streets safely – in all types weather – on their way to school or back to their homes.
SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
Glenna Casavechia, President, CUPE Local 4814, 902-462-7951; Karen MacKenzie, CUPE National Representative, 902-899-0840; Colleen Reynolds, CUPE Atlantic Communications, 902-809-2253
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