CUPE Adopting Strike Posture Against City of Hamilton – TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site

August 3, 2023
The majority of the City of Hamilton’s unionized workforce is posturing toward a possible strike.
CUPE 5167 has requested a No Board Report as the union moves “to a position where a strike could be called.”
CUPE will be in a legal strike position 17 days after the Ministry of Labour issues a No Board Report.
It is unusual for public sector unions to go on strike immediately.
Being in a legal strike position is bargaining leverage in negotiations.
CUPE 5167 is seeking wage increases near the rate of inflation. City Council is keeping its offers private.
The union states the two sides are far apart.
As noted in the TPR Newsletter, the union’s key leverage is the upcoming Grey Cup game in Hamilton this November.
There is a wave of strike activity across Canada in response to inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
Since taking office in November, the new City Council has increased managers’ pay by eight to ten percent, with some managers receiving higher pay increases.
The union is citing these pay increases in its public statements.
The union is holding a members-only information meeting this evening, Thursday, August 3rd.
A union rally and press conference will be held in front of Hamilton City Hall on August 16 at 5:00 p.m.