May 16, 2008

Cape Breton trades council urges members to reject contract offer

SYDNEY, N.S.

Major construction projects on Cape Breton Island could be in jeopardy if an agreement isn’t reached between the island’s trades unions and contractors.

While both sides say they’re optimistic a negotiated settlement can be reached, time is running short and some trades unions have already rejected the last offer from the organization representing contractors.

“It is the council’s recommendation that members turn down the latest offer,” said Cliff Murphy, president of the Cape Breton Building and Construction Trades Council which represents 12 union groups.

Both sides remain hopeful for a negotiated settlement before the current contract expires June 30. The most contentious of the outstanding issues deals with wages.

The multi-trades agreement covers everything from wages and pensions to holidays and hiring practices.

The two sides last met face-to-face April 29 under the guidance of a conciliator.

The last strike involving trades unions lasted two weeks in 1992.

The council’s 3,600 members are now voting on the latest offer and have ratification meetings scheduled for the remainder of the month. The carpenters’ union is one group that has already unanimously turned down the offer.

Canadian Press

Print | Email | Comment