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Carleton University Campus Safety Workers vote in favour of strike

“It is unfortunate that labour relations at Carleton University have come to this,” said OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It’s time for the University to make some serious decisions about commitment to campus safety.”

Ottawa (11 Feb. 2014) — Campus Safety Workers at Carleton University have voted 97.4 per cent in favour of a strike should one be necessary. Close to perfect attendance at the vote means there is very strong support for strike action if the employer refuses to negotiate a reasonable contract.

Campus safety workers overwhelmingly support strike action at Carleton Univeristy 

“It is unfortunate that labour relations at Carleton University have come to this,” said OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It’s time for the University to make some 

serious decisions about commitment to campus safety.”

Campus Safety Workers at Carleton University have called in a conciliator to help with ongoing contract negotiations. Their union, The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), has also filed an Unfair Labour Practice complaint after the employer began targeting workers who wear union buttons and stickers.

“To our knowledge, Campus Safety workers have never been on strike in all of Canada. This would be an unfortunate way for Carleton University to make history,” said Brent Gobeo, Bargaining Team Chair and OPSEU Local 404 Vice-President.

Members of the campus community have joined with OPSEU/NUPGE to put pressure on University management to treat workers fairly

Numerous student groups and unions representing workers at Carleton University attended an information picket on February 5. CUPE 4600, the Graduate Students Association, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group and Carleton  University Academic Staff Association came together for this picket to let students and the community know how the University is treating staff.

Carleton University Safety Workers include special constables, dispatchers, campus safety officers and student safety patrols.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE