The District of Squamish and CUPE Local 2269, representing about 250 employees, will enter mediation through the Labour Relations Board of British Columbia beginning Friday, October 24, in an effort to resolve an ongoing labour dispute.
According to a news release from the District, the move follows a request from CUPE 2269 and has been welcomed by the municipality as “a next step” toward reaching a settlement.
“The District remains wholeheartedly committed to achieving a collective agreement that is fair for our employees, while balancing fiscal responsibility and ensuring fairness to our taxpayers,” said Mayor Armand Hurford. “We are hopeful that with the assistance of a mediator we can make some real progress, and ideally in short order.”
The dispute has been ongoing for three weeks. On October 16, the District implemented a lockout of certain departments to encourage the union to return to bargaining.
The strike has forced the closure of several key facilities, including the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
“This is not where any of us want to be and the impacts to both our employees and the community are significant and growing daily,” Hurford said. “We want our entire team back at work with wages and community services resumed.”
The District said it will not comment further while mediation is underway.
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