City Responds to 72-Hour Strike Notice Issued by CUPE Local 118

Port Alberni, BC – On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 8 a.m. the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 118 served the City of Port Alberni with 72-hour strike notice.

The City and CUPE Local 118 have been involved in the collective bargaining process in an effort to achieve a new collective agreement between the parties. At this time a new agreement has not yet been reached.

In December 2024 the two parties agreed to move into a mediated process to assist with bargaining. The parties jointly applied to the Labour Relations Board and were provided with options for mediation dates. Since that time, CUPE Local 118 has elected to opt out of the mediation process due to delays associated with the Provincially-appointed resource. While mediation was a path the City had hoped would lead to an agreement, City administration respects CUPE’s decision and will return to the table to continue bargaining.

As part of CUPE’s efforts to move bargaining forward, they have chosen to begin job action with the 72-hour strike notice. This job action will consist of an overtime ban which will begin at 8:01 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025.

The City is confident that a new collective agreement can be reached at the bargaining table, and additional bargaining dates have already been secured. The City remains committed to ensuring fair and equitable wages for all employees, while striving to maintain the service levels that residents expect and deserve.

“We are committed to providing a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for all employees within the City of Port Alberni. Our commitment to coming to the bargaining table in good faith remains steadfast,” said Sharie Minions, mayor of Port Alberni “The daily contributions of Local 118 members are integral to the well-being of our community, and we deeply value their essential role in the success of our municipal operations,” concluded mayor Minions.

The City remains positive that a fair and equitable agreement that benefits both parties can be reached. The City is confident that it can continue to provide the citizens of Port Alberni with the services they expect without interruption during the upcoming job action.

As the City and CUPE Local 118 endeavour to reach mutually agreed upon terms through the negotiation process, we ask that people show kindness to one another, both in the workplace and out in our community. We all share the same goal of creating a thriving community for today’s citizens and for the generations that will follow.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Mike Fox, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Port Alberni
Office: 250.720.2824         Email: mike_fox@portalberni.ca