Nov 14, 2024 – On Friday, November 15, 2024, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 831 are set to vote on a proposed agreement with the City of Brampton. This vote follows nearly a week of strike action involving around 1,200 municipal workers, covering areas like transit, public works, and court services.
The strike, which began on November 7, came after contract negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory outcome. CUPE Local 831 members have been working without a contract since early this year. Back in July, 97% of the union members voted in favour of a strike mandate, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the city’s earlier proposals.
CUPE Local 831 President Fabio Gazzola expressed cautious optimism regarding the tentative agreement. “Our objective has always been to secure a fair deal that acknowledges the crucial services our members deliver to Brampton’s residents,” Gazzola said. “We believe this tentative agreement addresses the key issues, and we look forward to our members’ decision on Friday.”
Mayor Patrick Brown also weighed in on the agreement, stating, “We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with CUPE Local 831. This deal aligns with similar agreements in neighbouring municipalities and demonstrates our commitment to fiscal responsibility while recognizing the value of our employees’ contributions.”
The terms of this tentative agreement are consistent with recent deals accepted by CUPE members in Mississauga, which included salary increases and enhanced benefits comparable to those provided to non-union staff. This alignment is part of an effort to maintain uniformity in municipal workforce agreements across the Greater Toronto Area.
If CUPE Local 831 members approve the agreement on Friday, it is expected that Brampton City Council will follow suit with its ratification soon after. This could bring an end to the ongoing strike, restoring complete municipal services to the city’s residents.
During the strike, the city has prioritized essential and emergency services, though residents have experienced significant disruptions, especially in public transit. Brampton Transit has reported widespread delays, urging passengers to explore alternative travel options during the labor dispute.
Both the union and city officials are hopeful that ratifying this agreement will quickly resolve the strike, allowing municipal workers to return to their duties and fully restore services for the Brampton community.