CUPE 873-03 serves 72-hour strike notice

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 28, 2015) - CUPE 873-03 served 72-hour strike notice to SN Transport yesterday after attempts to reach a first collective agreement failed. The union represents 115 workers who provide patient transfer services in the Lower Mainland.

"From the moment this group of workers joined CUPE and we started bargaining their first agreement, the employer has resisted and used foot dragging tactics," said CUPE National Representative John Strohmaier. "No-one likes to go on strike, but this employer has done nothing to reach a fair first collective agreement but put up obstacles."

Although the workers are legally in a position to strike on Sunday, the union is meeting with members over the weekend and a bargaining session is scheduled for Monday.

The 115 employees who work as patient transfer drivers at SN Transport, a private company, voted to join CUPE in July. They have been bargaining their first contract since August, 2014.