WHITE ROCK - City workers part of CUPE 402-01 have voted 94 per cent in favour of striking.
The vote comes as the City of White Rock is in negotiations with city employees in CUPE 402-01, which includes more than 100 workers. That includes operations workers, arena workers and clerks through various municipal buildings.The vote means if bargaining fails, workers are prepared to walk off the job.CUPE 402-01 president Mike Guraliuk said the vote shows the union is serious."We hope this sends a strong message to our employer that CUPE members are serious about reaching a fair deal," he said.White Rock's city manager Dan Bottrill said negotiations were still ongoing."Both sides are still negotiating in good faith and so I'm hopeful we'll conclude negotiations fairly soon," Bottrill said.Bargaining began back in June 2013 and continued until the end of January when negotiations reached a stalemate.On Jan. 30, the Labour Relations Board appointed a mediator and meetings are now expected to continue in March and April.According to a release by CUPE, the City of White Rock "has failed to address key issues for members that will improve the relationship between the parties."Guraliuk said he hopes to see that change in the spring."Especially given the very strong support of CUPE workers in White Rock, we are hopeful that the city comes to mediation prepared to reach a settlement."cpoon@thenownewspaper.com