The President of the union representing workers at the Corner Brook Civic Centre says they’re not asking for special treatment but to be treated as equals within the city and right now staff doesn’t feel like they are. Craig Gardner of CUPE 4386 says their contract expired at the end of last year and talks with the city started this past spring. He says they are preparing for a strike vote on October 10th but they have committed to meet with the city on October 19th.
There are 11 full time and 24 part time staff who maintain the Civic Centre and Gardner says staffing is the biggest issue because the wages are so low. He says the amount of work and wages being paid are leading to people going elsewhere to work
Gardner says the city’s offer is in line with the lowest end of their agreements with municipal workers. However, he says there is such a difference in wages within our own municipality but also compared to other facilities around the province. Gardner says places with 2000-4000 people and ice facilities make significantly more for doing the same job. Gardner says when students hired at the park to work during the summer are being paid more than full time workers there’s a serious need to look at wages at the centre.
As well, he says there has to be a power engineer working at the centre 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Meanwhile, Minor Hockey, figure skating and gymnastics has started and in full swing with craft fairs and tournaments. Senior hockey will start next month.
