Inside city workers picket in front on London's city Hall. May 25, 2015. Photo by Ashton Patis. Inside city workers picket in front on London's city Hall. May 25, 2015. Photo by Ashton Patis.
London

Tensions Rise As Inside City Workers Strike Continues

Tension is at an all time high between city hall and the union representing 750 striking inside city workers.

CUPE Local 101 members shouted from the gallery at last night's council meeting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_92CdaAmHc

Both sides had agreed to return to the bargaining table late last week, but the talks were short lived and fell apart on Tuesday.

As Mayor Matt Brown and City Manager Art Zuidema met with reporters inside city hall, those on the picket lines rallied outside the front doors.

The city says their latest offer was more than fair, but the union refuses to accept any concessions.

CUPE Local 101 is threatening to request binding arbitration.

"Under the city's more recent offer an employee earning $58,000 today would earning $60,000 by the end of this contract," says Brown, who notes that is the average salary for members of Local 101.

Brown refused to disclose specific details of the city's latest offer, but notes there are four things the workers need to accept.

"We need to change our work hours, we're not looking for longer hours for everyone, but we're looking for flexibility," says  Zuidema. "It's the ability to schedule people so they can provide the services to Londoners that they desire."

The inside city workers walked off the job on May 25.

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