Lockout looms for Grey County roads workers

GREY COUNTY, ON, Nov. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Roads workers in Grey County have taken to the airwaves to warn residents that road safety may be at risk if the County chooses to lock them out on November 8^th. In a new radio ad airing through the County beginning today, CUPE Local 1530 lets residents know that they are prepared to do what it takes to bargain a fair deal and keep roads safe this winter.

"We are mystified that the County wants to risk a labour dispute, just as winter arrives," said Mike McNally, President of Local 1530. "We were not finding this round of bargaining to be particularly acrimonious. We had every expectation of concluding an agreement soon when the County elected to request a 'no-board', triggering the countdown to a lockout. Why would they put road safety and residents at risk?"

Grey County and CUPE Local 1530 are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on November 5^th, with the assistance of a mediator from the Ministry of Labour.

Local 1530 represents roughly 60 full-time and part-time or seasonal roads workers, who do everything from snow plowing, bridge maintenance, road repair, ditch digging, and much more.

To listen to the local's radio ad, click https://cupe.ca/grey-county-road-safety.

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

Andrea Addario, CUPE Communications, 416-738-4329