Ottawa Local votes 83%
in favour of
strike mandate
Ottawa Newspaper Guild | CWA Canada
Local 30205
Union negotiators at The
Ottawa Citzen resume contract talks next week armed with a formidable
weapon after members last night voted 83-per-cent in
favour of giving them a strike mandate.
"We now have a big stick," says
a jubilant Lois Kirkup, president of the Ottawa Newspaper
Guild (ONG), whose 203 members work in editorial, circulation,
finance and building maintenance. Ballots were cast
by 172 members — 85 per cent of eligible voters — with
143 giving the negotiators the nod.
The bargaining team had sought the
mandate after mediation on Monday and Tuesday failed
to produce a decent financial offer. The latest proposal
from management of the CanWest-owned newspaper, which
is a profitable operation, is a two-year deal with
wage increases of 1.0 and 1.5 per cent.
"Our membership knew how important this (strike
vote) is, and they stepped up," says Kirkup. “We
are strong, and we are united. We are looking for a
fair deal, and we expect to get one.”
The two parties were in an 'open' position to legally
strike or lock out as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
"We have no intention of striking. We are committed
to talks — at least for the next three sessions
(Sept. 17, 22 and 23) — until we get a deal," she
says.
"We've been losing staff steadily for nine or
10 months" and everyone has been forced to shoulder
a heavier burden, especially in the newsroom, says
Kirkup, the online editor at the paper. "We're
professionals and we do our jobs well, so it's a slap
in the face to offer us one and one-and-a-half."
"It's obvious from what they're proposing that
they're not taking the membership seriously. They are
not showing us the respect we deserve. In four months
(and 10 meetings), they have not put a serious financial
offer on the table," says the exasperated president.
David Esposti, the CWA Canada
staff representative who has been leading the Local
in the negotiations, says that "in the face of resistance from the
employer, we were left with no recourse" but to
take a strike vote. "I'm very gratified that the
membership has shown such confidence in and support
for the bargaining team."
Kirkup says she has been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm
shown by the membership.
The Local's executive has approved
a topping up of strike or lockout pay so that members
would receive a maximum of $500 a week if there is
a work stoppage. Letting people know the amount of
money they can expect "takes
away some of the financial concern," says Kirkup.