Region of Waterloo gives striking workers 'final offer' in contract negotiations

The Region of Waterloo said Thursday that it has provided the CUPE local 1656 bargaining team with its "final offer" to end the strike.

"The final offer addresses many union concerns, is fair and competitive for employees, and is mindful of affordability for taxpayers," the region said.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 1656 workers at the Region of Waterloo have been on strike for nearly three weeks seeking higher wages. The union has said the region had proposed a contract, but has since gone back on that offer.

The region says the offer includes:

• A salary increase of almost 12 per cent to all positions over a three-year period.
• A $1 per hour wage adjustment plus a 3.5 per cent increase, representing an average of 5 per cent increase in the first year. The wage increases are retroactive to Jan. 1.
• A commitment to undertake a market review for the skilled trades classifications.
• Other "enhancements" including banked overtime, shift premiums, meal allowance and stand-by rates.

Mathieu Goetzke, acting chief administrative officer for the region, said in a release that the striking workers are "valued employees" and the "final offer reflects this important work and also ensures value for money for local taxpayers."

Those represented by the union include people who work in departments including water, airport services, regional road maintenance, landfill services and emergency vehicle maintenance.

Regional council meeting disrupted

The final offer comes after Wednesday night's regional council meeting was disrupted by striking workers yelling the words "shame."

The workers had gathered outside regional headquarters in Kitchener before the meeting and were joined by Ontario Federation of Labour President Laura Walton and CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn.

After the information picket ahead of the meeting, some entered the council chambers. About an hour into the meeting, after a board of health report from medical officer Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, some workers began to speak at councillors and then yell.

"Shame on Karen Redman, shame upon you Coun. [Mike] Harris," one person said.

"You have no integrity," another person said before there were chants of "shame" and a horn was blown. 

Redman said council would go into recess and the meeting resumed about 15 minutes later.