The latest attempt to bring an end to the lockout of unionized North Shore Winter Club maintenance workers has failed.
Now one of the longestrunning labour disputes in the province, 16 employees have been locked out for more than 230 days.
Management and Canadian Union of Public Employees local 389 negotiators met for mediation on Dec. 2, but the offer presented from the North Shore Winter Club was "insulting," according to John Strohmaier, CUPE national representative.
"Unfortunately, we weren't able to reach an agreement when we met with the employer and the Labour Relations Board. In fact, the offer they came with was worse than the offer they presented in May," he said.
"What they had proposed to do is slash the workforce from 16 full-time employees down to seven and to make up for the shortfall, they wanted the union to let the employer use non-bargaining-unit employees to do bargainingunit work."
Previously, the union was holding out to keep work hours distributed in four 10-hour shifts so employees could work a second job, but workers gave that up in hopes of being welcomed back on the job, Strohmaier said.
Picketing workers are getting by on strike pay, though the cold weather and Christmas season make the lockout more challenging, Strohmaier said.
"That has made this lockout harder to deal with, but the members are persevering and standing in solidarity and will continue to until this labour dispute is over," Strohmaier said.
"Fortunately, the labour movement through CUPE has come through with some donations for them, which are in excess of $100,000 now.. .. To their credit, they are holding their line and will continue to do so."
This is the first time the union and the club have met since members elected a new board in the fall.
North Shore Winter Club general manager David Long did not respond to a request for comment.
