Tag Archives: bonfield township council

Bonfield mayor’s decision to close landfill will not end strike

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http://cupe.ca

Aug 19, 2013

Instead of closing Bonfield’s landfill, the mayor should be back at the bargaining table to resolve a strike that he caused. Sixteen Bonfield municipal workers have been on strike since August 1.

“Closing the landfill, with no outlet for the community’s waste to be stored safely, will not only prolong this unnecessary strike, but it is also already attracting bears to our community, and this is definitely not safe for the residents,” said Steve Boyle, CUPE National Representative. “Our members know what it takes to keep the landfill operating safely for our residents, and we want to resolve this strike so we can serve the community, but we need a willing employer to resolve this strike. We also understand the mayor has left town and gone to Ottawa for a conference while the community is without public services when he should be right here trying to find ways to end this strike.” 

“Citing safety concerns for the mayor and council as the reason for closing the landfill is a bit of a stretch,” said Boyle. “As elected leaders of this community, they should be more worried about the safety of the community from bears looking for garbage than being concerned about their own ‘safety’ from residents unhappy about the mayor’s actions that are prolonging the strike.” 

“If they had not cancelled public meetings and caused this unnecessary strike, they would not be in this situation,” continued Boyle. “The mayor and council must face the public and should be held accountable for their actions.” 

Boyle also noted that the mayor decided to close the landfill after a safety inspection from the Ministry of Labour’s health and safety officers. The workers have been on strike for a fair contract since August 1. In addition to pushing for concessions, including plans to contract out public services, the mayor threatened to impose new terms and conditions forcing the workers into a defensive strike. 

For further information, please contact:

Steve Boyle, CUPE National Representative, 705-662-5975
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 905-739-3999

Solidarity served at BBQ rally hosted by CUPE leaders

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Aug 14, 2013    http://cupe.ca

The Bonfield Township Council meeting was cancelled by the mayor and the forecasted rain never came, but CUPE leaders led by Charles Fleury, CUPE national secretary-treasurer, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer and Henri Giroux, president of North Bay CUPE District Council along with CUPE members and Bonfield residents, did come out on Tuesday afternoon to show support for the striking CUPE 4616-2 members at a solidarity BBQ.

“You have the support of over 600,000 CUPE members across Canada,” said Charles Fleury, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer, bringing greetings and support for the 16 municipal workers on strike in Bonfield. “CUPE supports your fight against concessions and we are with you every step of the way.”

Echoing brother Fleury’s remarks, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary treasurer said: “We will stand by you and provide you with all the resources you need to win this fight.” Henri Giroux, who helped organize the event, also thanked the community for their continued support for the striking workers.

More than 150 people, from Bonfield residents to CUPE members from across the province, to local union members, brought solidarity messages and let the strikers know that they have the full support of their Ontario brothers and sisters.

Garth Pigeau, President of CUPE 4616-2 was encouraged by the support shown to his striking members and said, “Solidarity, this is what the union is all about.”

The workers have been on strike since August 1, 2013.