The City of Winnipeg won’t agree to binding mediation with the union representing nearly 5,000 workers to prevent a strike.
The city has been in talks with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 500 to come to an agreement on wages, benefits, pensions and employment security.
However, the city says it will work with a mediator if appointed. On February 18, the union voted in favour of a strike mandate.
“It is our view that a negotiated settlement is always preferable to one that is imposed by a third party,” said Linda Black, director of corporate support services.
The city says it took market conditions into consideration with its offer, accounting for the general economic climate and other recent wage settlements in the local public sector.
