the table for striking outside workers, leaving the decision in the hands of the union. On Thursday, both sides resumed negotiations, with Eric Bell from CUPE Communications confirming the meeting.
In a press release, the Region detailed the proposed agreement, which includes a nearly 12% salary increase over three years. The first year alone would see a wage adjustment of $1.00 per hour, plus a 3.5% raise, averaging a 5% increase overall. These increases would be retroactive to January 1, 2025.
The Region also pledged to conduct a market review for skilled trades workers and promised future benefits like banked overtime, shift premiums, meal allowances, and stand-by rates. The Region has called this offer both fair and competitive for employees, while considering the financial impact on taxpayers.
CUPE has not yet made a public statement regarding the offer.
Meanwhile, workers continued their strike, disrupting bus services at the Grand River Operations Centre in Kitchener Thursday morning. Grand River Transit announced delays in service around 8:30 a.m., which were resolved by the afternoon.
On Wednesday, striking workers held a demonstration outside the Regional Headquarters to urge Regional Chair Karen Redman and the council to honor a previous deal and end the strike before the regular council meeting.
CUPE Local 1656 President Phil Dominas expressed frustration, pointing out the disparity between large salary increases for management and the Region’s refusal to honor their earlier agreement with the union. “How is it fair that there is an endless pool of money for managers, but when it comes to negotiating wages for the workers who keep the region running, they claim there is no money?” Dominas said in a press release.
CUPE Local 1656 also claims the Region initially offered a fair deal, only to later retract it and send a new offer that was half of the original proposal. Dominas emphasized that no members of CUPE 1656 have ever seen a double-digit salary increase in a single year, a figure far from what the union is seeking.
