1,200 workers on strike at the City of Brampton

1,200 CUPE members at the City of Brampton are on strike today following lengthy negotiations that failed to reach a fair deal for workers, leaving the services that residents depend on facing disruptions and closures until an agreement with the employer can be reached.

"This strike is a last resort for our members who work hard day in and day out to keep the city of Brampton running," said Fabio Gazzola, president of CUPE 831. "In the end, this is about fairness and reaching a deal for our members that is similar to what other non-unionized staff at the city have achieved."

CUPE 831 represents workers at the City of Brampton responsible for road maintenance, theatres, the call centre, animal control, courthouse services, building inspections and permits, information technology, enforcement, transit, city hall services (marriage licenses, taxes, accounting), administration services and parks and recreation services across Brampton.

Despite nine months of negotiations, the employer has refused to negotiate a deal that addresses the high cost of living faced by CUPE 831 members.

"Our members take great pride in their community and the work that they do, but like so many in the GTA, they are facing increased pressures due to the high cost of living," Gazzola said. "It's time for the city to come to the table and negotiate a fair deal for our members and end this strike."

Brampton residents are encouraged to send a letter to their councillor urging them to negotiate a fair deal at cupe.ca/Brampton. Residents are also asked to support striking members by not crossing picket lines at City Hall and other locations throughout Brampton.