City reaches labour deal with CUPE 503

The City of Ottawa has reached a tentative agreement with its largest labour union. Here's the (brief) memo from City Clerk and Solicitor Rick O'Connor to the mayor and councillors, sent just now:

I am pleased to advise that, early this morning, the City's bargaining team reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 503 Inside/Outside bargaining unit (CUPE 503 I/O). The tentative agreement was reached after 20 days of negotiations and respects the bargaining mandate approved by Council.

CUPE 503 I/O is the City's largest bargaining unit, representing approximately 6,300 employees or 37% of the City's workforce. Their collective agreement expired on December 31, 2011.

In keeping with the usual labour relations practices, the details of the tentative agreement are confidential until ratified by the union membership and City Council. CUPE 503 President Brian Madden has indicated that he anticipates presenting the tentative agreement to his members later next month, after which it will be submitted to Council for ratification.

M. Rick O'Connor, CMO

Certified Specialist (Municipal Law: Local Government)

City Clerk and Solicitor