Outside workers vote to strike after negotiations with Town of Oakville stall

Outside workers for the Town of Oakville have overwhelming decided to take strike action.

In a vote taken on Thursday (Oct. 12), 250 full time roads, parks, recreation, and fleet services employees voted over 97 per cent in favour of walking out.

The collective agreement between the union and Town ended in February of this year.

“An incredible 97.02 per cent gave support to our committee. We are strong and united,” said Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 136, which represents the workers.

The vote comes after negotiations between the union and Town hit a roadblock, and the Town applied for a No Board Report with the Ontario Labour Relations Boad, which was to be received on Monday (Oct. 16).

“Meaning we will be in a legal position to be locked out by our employers on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at 12:01 a.m.,” the union said on its website.

The union pointed has pointed to wages, a health plan that would restrict employees to generic drugs and the need for changes to hours of work among the key issues in negotiations.

“CUPE Local 136 remains committed to bargaining towards a fair collective agreement and calls on our employer to come back to the table before Nov. 2,” said the union on its website.

Unionized outside employees including heavy equipment operators and mechanics, drivers, cemetery, technicians, and harbour staff.