London city workers threaten strike if agreement not reached

THE CANADIAN PRESS

LONDON, Ont. - Municipal workers in London, Ont., are warning they will strike in a week if talks between the city and the union don't result in an agreement.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 101 president Cindy Cossar-Jones says wages, benefits and respect for workers are among the chief hang-ups in negotiations.

She says the city is pushing the local's 750 employees to strike.

Members voted 89 per cent in favour of a strike if a new deal isn't reached.

Their previous contract expired at the end of last year.

The union says a strike would affect services such as finance, building and property inspections, bylaw, water treatment and recreation programs.

Mediation talks between the union and the city are scheduled for next week.

[ 2008-06-27 ]