The Garbage Strike Conspiracy - CUPE's Successful Pushback

Who'sStallingNow?
12th&CambieVille

Funny how things can change with a little pushback - especially when people are paying attention after an entire of week of poll dancing, none of which, apparently, took place in the peeler bar.

It started earlier today when the very fine folks at the City of Vancouver tried to generate a little deflector spin by pretending that they were kinda/sorta, but not really, willing to negotiate.

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) Sep, 07 2007 - 8:50 AM - A ray of hope is appearing on this, “Day-50” of Vancouver’s civic strike with word informal talks are continuing between city managers and Cupe local 15.


In response, the Union immediately pushed back.

VANCOUVER, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - CUPE 15 is dismayed and disappointed that the
City of Vancouver would use informal "coffee chats" in hotel lounges and
restaurants to falsely raise the hope of the public and CUPE members and
deflect attention from the City's refusal to return to the bargaining table to
resolve the civic strike and restore civic services.

Then, using a little bit of turn about as fair play, the Union sent City of Vancouver manager Judy Rogers a letter of their own:

...Please accept this letter as an invitation to return to bargaining on Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

Should you prefer third party assistance we would be prepared to agree to the appointment of a mediator or facilitator to assist the parties. Please advise if you will be accepting our offer to reconvene negotiations by day-end, Monday, September 10, 2007, so that appropriate facilities can be arranged.....


And, hey, guess what happened early this evening?

The City decided, apparently, to go back to the negotiating table - for real:

CBC News, Sept 07/07, 6:36pm: The city responded (to the letter) by inviting the unions back to the bargaining table, starting Monday. A city official said it plans to meet with each of the union locals separately.


Collective bargaining with no War Rooms (from either side in the game) - now that's what we need to end this thing*.

OK?

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*Which, of course, is why I think that the fine folks from the City never wanted it in the first place.

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