Unionized workers at the Town of Hawkesbury have been without a contract for almost a year and are hopeful upcoming conciliation leads to an agreement.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1026 President Richard Crete said the previous contract expired on March 31 and so far, there have been five meetings between the union and the employer. Talks with a conciliator were to take place in January 2024, but were postponed to April. Local 1026 represents 45 municipal employees.
Wages and benefits are the main issue in the contract talks.
“We’re behind 10 years in salary,” Crete said.
As an example, he said a snowplow truck operator for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell makes $29.58 to $32 per hour while a snowplow truck operator in Hawkesbury makes $27.30 per hour. Crete said truck drivers in Hawkesbury also often do additional tasks such as minor road repairs and assist water department staff. He said that on average, Hawkesbury’s wages are $4 to $5 less per hour.
CUPE 1026 members attended the February 12 and March 4 town council meetings as a show of solidarity and effort to invite their employer to negotiate.
“The unionized people want to be part of the solution. We want to meet with them,” Crete said.
Affordability is the reason higher wages are necessary, according to Crete. He said some CUPE 1026 members cannot afford to buy a home in the town where they work. Crete also said the lower wages in Hawkesbury are making it difficult for the town to keep employees from leaving for positions offering higher wages elsewhere.
“There’s no retention,” Crete said.
For confidentiality reasons, Hawkesbury Chief Administrative Officer Samuel Cardarelli declined to comment on the contract negotiations between the town and CUPE 1026.
