2008 Woodie Awards
Sodexho strike looms near
Residence meal plans unaffected
Susan Kirwin
Issue date: 10/15/02 Section: News
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In a last minute attempt to reach an agreement, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1295 met with Sodexho management on Thanksgiving Monday.
"We're hopeful of the negotiations," said John Clutterbuck, CUPE Local 1295 president, however, he says both parties are preparing for the worst.
The university has even stepped in, with Harold Leece, associate vice-president administration, functioning as a mediator.
"We're thankful to the university for helping out," says Clutterbuck.
However, Jim Harper, vice-president and chief steward for CUPE Local 1295, says the union and Sodexho management are "still a ways apart in [their] talks."
What the union is after is a dental plan and higher wages. Harper said he does not think what they are asking for is unrealistic, as all Sodexho employees at other universities across Canada already have dental plans in place.
Cathy McCann, Sodexho general manager, says they are still in negotiations with the union and are hopeful that both parties will come to an agreement before the strike date. She did not wish to comment on the bargaining table issues.
All food outlets at Brock are run by Sodexho, excluding those in the Alumni Students' Centre. Students living in residence should not worry about being suddenly cut-off from their pre-paid meal plans, as director of residences, Jamie Fleming, has promised to maintain full service in the event of a strike.
"Should union members choose to take job action, please rest assured that food service will continue to be provided in the Residence Dining Hall for students with meal plans," he stated.
Although the Residence Dining Hall will remain open, it will not be the regular Sodexho employees working there because they will be on strike.
"Remember that the people who will be working, handling your food ... are SCABS," was written on signs placed on bulletin boards across campus. The signs were posted by CUPE Local 1295, informing the Brock community about the likelihood of a strike, and of the issues at the bargaining table.
"We're not out to spite anyone," says Clutterbuck. "But according to the Ministry [of Labour], we're under the gun."
Clutterbuck said they are working on Thanksgiving because they prefer to reach an agreement. According to Ministry of Labour policy, when two sides reach a no board, they have to set a strike date within 15 days, and both parties agreed on Oct. 17 as a deadline during their last meeting on Sept. 30.
