An impasse between the City of Weyburn, and CUPE Local 90. The two sides are working to hammer out a new collective agreement. The previous agreement expired on December 31st, 2016.

“The City of Weyburn is seeking serious concessions, including changes to bereavement leave, changes to emergency and serious illness leave, and changes to the grievance process,” explained Sherri Blackburn, the president of CUPE Local 90.

She added the monetary offer doesn’t keep up with the cost of living and is behind wage increases other CUPE members employed in other municipalities will receive.

City Manager Mathew Warren explained the city is dedicated to continuing to negotiate in good faith, with a goal of reaching a bargain which is not only good for the employees, but for the city as a whole.

“For us, we’re just at the point where we did provide a fair offer to them for a final offer, at which point they decided not to take it to their members for a vote,” Warren said.

CUPE explained before they could take it to the membership for a vote, it was rejected by the membership due to a number of concessions the city was looking for.

The process now will include a mediator from the Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety. The union stressed they are not looking for a strike vote, or job action, instead focussing on a fair deal.