BRAMPTON, Ontario — Some 1,200 city workers, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 831, went on strike here Nov. 7. “Bargaining began on March 31, but there has been little progress,” union President Fabio Gazzola told CBC.
He said the striking workers want a pay increase, and a health and benefits package like management has. “It’s getting to the point where workers in Brampton can’t even afford to live in Brampton.”
The strikers got a boost when city bus drivers refused to cross their picket line beginning the next day. The drivers, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1573, are also negotiating for a new contract.
Striking workers work in public transit, parks and recreation, road maintenance and a host of other city services.
Ashley Truong carried a hand-written picket sign at City Hall saying, “A fight to keep life affordable.” She told the Militant she was glad the bus drivers weren’t crossing their picket lines. “We need all the help we can get.”
“The city of Brampton doesn’t want to negotiate a contract that’s fair and equitable,” CUPE Local 831 Vice President Ryan Smart told the Militant. Gazzola added, “We also need more predictable schedules to be able to plan to spend more time with our families.”
The striking city workers allowed some bus service to resume Nov. 9. This wasn’t because of Mayor Patrick Brown’s threat to seek an injunction, Gazzola said, but a sign they want to get back to the bargaining table. “We’re not here to disrupt the public, but we’re also here to try to negotiate and get a fair deal from the employer.”