City of Melville, CUPE reach impasse in bargaining

A Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) flag is seen as CUPE members and supporters join a demonstration near Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario Lisa MacLeod’s office in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

After several months of stalled negotiations between the City of Melville and CUPE 456 – the two sides have now officially reached an impasse.

In a news release shared by CUPE on Dec. 24, the union revealed that the city has notified the provincial ministry of labour and workplace safety that the two sides are unable to reach an agreement.

The action was anticipated due to the state of negotiations. However, the union criticized the timing of announcement – given the two sides last met on Dec. 2.

The current round of bargaining has been focused on wages and working conditions for both inside and outside workers in the City of Melville.

CUPE 456 was hopeful that a deal could have been reached before the new year without intervention from the ministry.

"At this time, neither party is in a legal position to withdraw services," Kevin Schick, president of CUPE 456, said in the release.

"But the timing of the city declaring impasse does not suggest they are eager to reach a deal."