[Feb 28, 2005 01:49 PM]

WHISTLER – The president of BC’s largest public sector union will be meeting with CUPE 2010 members on Thursday, March 3rd, 2005 to offer his support and meet with the municipal workers and their allies. The unionized workers began job action last week.

“CUPE 2010 members are fighting for something that all workers in Whistler deserve – a living allowance that respects the high cost of living and raising a family in a resort town,” says CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill.

“Instead, RMOW is demanding concessions from their municipal workers,” says O’Neill. “This is more about union-busting and an ideology that wants to keep the workers that build, maintain and run this community silent and without a voice.” RMOW is demanding benefit rollbacks and the elimination of set hours and schedules of work.

“We’ll mobilize the whole labour movement to make sure people’s rights to join and participate in unions are protected and respected in Whistler.”

CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill has also extended an offer to meet with Whistler Mayor and Council to seek a political solution to the labour dispute. To date, Mayor O’Reilly has refused such a meeting, but Councillor Ken Melamed has agreed and they will be meeting on Thursday.

CUPE 2010 members have been without a contract since December 2002.

Contact:

Barry O’Neill, CUPE BC President at (604)916-8444 or Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications at (778)229-0258.