Almost 1,200 Brampton staff are on strike as of Thursday morning, affecting a spread of providers within the metropolis from recreation to transit.
The employees, represented by CUPE Native 831, have been in negotiations to achieve a brand new contract with the town for months, however have but to achieve a good deal that union members agree on. A scarcity of pay will increase is cited as a motive for the labour disruption, with placing staff carrying indicators studying “why is there always money for management but not for workers?”
“We have been at the bargaining table working towards a fair and comparable deal similar to what other Brampton staff have achieved for our members, for close to 9 months with no success,” President of CUPE 831 Fabio Gazzola mentioned in an internet assertion on Nov. 4.
“CUPE 831 members provide essential services to Brampton. Our goal is to reach an agreement that avoids any disruption to these vital services.”
CUPE 831 represents staff answerable for street upkeep, animal management, courthouse providers, constructing inspections and permits, enforcement, transit, and a few metropolis corridor providers, amongst different staff within the Metropolis of Brampton.
“CUPE 831 members are part of the community and take pride in maintaining Brampton’s public spaces and infrastructure,” Gazzola mentioned. “We’re searching for a good deal that addresses the wants of our members, together with safety of precarious and seasonal staff, and holding our public providers public. CUPE 831 just isn’t right here to fund non-union workers by way of cuts to the workforce.
There are a selection of service impacts and closures because of the disruption. Transit providers are impacted, and riders are inspired to make alternate journey plans. Some recreation centres stay open however are working at diminished hours, whereas others could also be closed. Enforcement and y-law providers are working with diminished providers, and responses for safety-related complaints can be prioritized.
Thursday afternoon, Brampton transit mentioned it’s ”considerably impacted by the labour dispute exercise” and is asking riders to make different preparations.
#BTAlert: Our transit providers have been considerably impacted by labour dispute exercise. We ask our riders to make alternate preparations. We respect your endurance throughout this time.
— Brampton Transit (@BramptonTransit) November 7, 2024
Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown additionally spoke on CUPE’s strike on X, saying Brampton residents deserve higher amid disruptions to important metropolis providers like transit.
CUPE is not going to maintain our Metropolis hostage. I’m deeply upset transit operations are being disrupted. That is unacceptable when CUPE was supplied a good, multi-year deal equivalent to the Mississauga settlement. Brampton residents deserve higher, and we are going to pursue each potential…
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) November 7, 2024
The Metropolis of Brampton says it has been in energetic negotiations with the union, and is devoted to reaching a deal that’s useful for each its staff and residents.
“The City remains committed to negotiating a fair, multi-year agreement that acknowledges the contributions of its CUPE 831 employees while ensuring fiscal responsibility for Brampton’s residents and aligning with other CUPE agreements in the Greater Toronto Area,” it mentioned in a press release on its web site Thursday.
See the newest on what’s open and closed in Brampton right here.
