Brampton, ON, Aug. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 1776, the workers at the Brampton Public Library, are continuing to bargain in good faith, yet management is unwilling to address CUPE issues.A key struggle to this point is to garner benefits for our part time workers.

Two-thirds of all Library staff are female and many of them cannot currently afford to buy into the current benefits program. CUPE 1776 is working hard to remedy this.

While we focus on ensuring the health and well being of our members by securing health insurance for all, we have proposed a Joint Benefits Committee to further investigate options for the future.

A Joint Benefits Committee would cost management nothing, but improved labour relations. The Employer insists that there is simply no money for benefits.

"Management continues to focus on the term 'cost containment' insisting that no additional benefits will be added for their employees," said CUPE national representative Bobby Nand.

"However, millions have been earmarked for renovations at the Cyril Clark branch and another $220,000 has already been spent on new computer equipment.The Union feels that with all of these expenditures 'cost containment' is not the priority that management would like us to think it is."

For further information: Vee Papadimos, president, CUPE local 1776, (416) 388-3929; Bobby Nand, CUPE National Representative, (905) 568-4664.


Article Source: http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/August2008/12/c3516.html?view=print