The inside workers union at the City of Calgary has voted in favor of strike action to support their contract demands, with 89% of members voting in favor of a strike mandate. The key issues at stake include wages and increased flexibility regarding work-from-home policies. Despite the strike mandate, the union has not yet issued a 72-hour strike notice as contract talks with the city and a mediator have resumed. The city expressed disappointment with the strike vote outcome but stated that discussions are ongoing in search of a fair and reasonable collective agreement.
D'Arcy Lanovaz, president of CUPE Local 38, highlighted that potential labor actions could range from working-to-rule to a full strike if necessary escalations are warranted due to what he described as a substandard offer from the employer. Both parties remain engaged in negotiations in hopes of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement while acknowledging the possibility of various forms of labor action should discussions not progress satisfactorily.