Ottawa museum workers set to strike Monday
Last Updated: Friday, September 18, 2009 | 4:17 PM ET
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More than 400 museum workers — including archivists, guides, hosts and other floor staff — voted in favour of a strike last month. (Rebecca Zandbergen/CBC) Employees at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum plan to strike Monday morning unless they reach a deal with management.
More than 400 museum workers — including archivists, guides, hosts and other floor staff — voted in favour of a strike last month. They're seeking greater job security and wage parity with employees at other museums in the capital.
Negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corp. (CMCC) began in April. Talks broke down in August, and, on Aug. 27, the workers voted 92 per cent in favour of a strike.
"Given the employer's refusal to address our critical issues, and given the fact that the vast majority of other federal employers in the region have agreed to protections in these areas, we have submitted a strike notice to CMCC," said Maria Fitzpatrick, the union's regional executive vice-president for the National Capital Region.
"We remain prepared to negotiate. But if management does not address our fundamental concerns, we will go on strike Monday morning."
Sessions with a federal mediator were held on Sept. 16 and 17. However, the union said, management at both museums refused to address the workers' fundamental concerns.
The Crown corporation that runs the museums has said the proportion of contract jobs fits with the needs of both the museums and the employees. It has also said that jobs vary among different museums, so it is unfair to compare them.
The museum's management said Friday it is deeply disappointed with the results of the negotiation sessions.
"We came to the table hoping that the union would adopt a more reasonable position," said Elizabeth Goger, CMCC's chief negotiator.
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