Unionized workers with Carney's Waste Systems started limited job action against their employer Thursday (Oct. 26).The job action in Whistler did not affect anyone in Squamish but Don Swerdan, the member's representative with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115, said he couldn't predict what will happen in the future. He didn't rule out further job action by the unionized workers in Squamish.
He said the union and the company have been negotiating a new collective agreement but no deal was in place as of The Chief's press deadline and no new talks were scheduled.
A media release from Carney's indicated managers at Carney's will continue to provide garbage collection service and recycling services would be considered a secondary priority during the labour dispute.
The company indicated it would provide updates as circumstances change.
Swerdan said the workers voted on two offers before taking job action and both offers were rejected.
"What we are looking for now is essentially the cost of living plus one per cent," said Swerdan. He said they also want an increase to their pension and the senior employees want more vacation time.
A number of other issues remain unresolved, said Swerdan.
Denise Imbeau of Carney's had little to say about the dispute other than to offer an apology for any inconvenience experienced during the dispute between the company and its unionized [email protected]
