City workers endorse strike

Photo: Colin Dacre

An overwhelming majority of municipal workers with the City of Penticton have voted to endorse a strike. 

The CUPE 608 union members met Wednesday evening to make the decision following seven months of negotiations with the city, with 95 per cent of members voting in favour.

"Life in the South Okanagan is becoming less and less affordable, and our collective agreement is not reflective of the true cost of living in our region," said CUPE 608 President Shelie Best. "Our frustration is that even after months at the table, we are still facing proposals that put our members further behind."

A press release from CUPE 608 referenced a BC Government report that showed year-over-year inflation in the province was 2.7 per cent as of April 2019. For the 12 months ending April 2018, B.C. led the way on inflation, coming in first among provinces with a rate 0.7 per cent higher than the Canadian average. 

"Our members live and work in this community and we want to see it grow and thrive," Best said. "We need to ensure Penticton is able to retain and attract qualified staff, and that our city is a leader in providing the kind of good jobs that support families and helps the local economy."

The union has sought a mediator through the BC Labour Relations Board to help talks reach a mutually beneficial resolution. Best says she is hopeful that it won't have to come to a strike. 

The local CUPE 608 branch represents more than 350 members who live and work in the South Okanagan Similkameen, including Osoyoos, Princeton, Oliver, Peachland and Penticton.