Latest news with #labor dispute
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Sudbury Waste Management workers strike over pay, demand ‘fair' wages
Waste Management workers are striking along LaSalle Boulevard in Sudbury. LiUNA Local 493 cites pay and cost-of-living concerns. Madison Marier reports. Approximately 25 employees with the commercial unit of Waste Management were picketing outside the company's facility on Lasalle Boulevard in Greater Sudbury Tuesday. The workers, represented by LiUNA Local 493, are striking over wage concerns, arguing their pay has not kept pace with the rising cost of living, unlike in other cities. Sudbury Waste Management Strike About 25 employees with the commercial unit of Waste Management were picketing outside the company's facility on Lasalle Boulevard in Greater Sudbury, Ont. on July 22, 2025. (Madison Marier/CTV News Northern Ontario) In a pamphlet distributed by the union, employees stated, 'We deserve respect for our labour and contributions.' Waste Management confirms strike, remains optimistic for resolution In a statement to CTV News, Waste Management of Canada Corporation acknowledged the ongoing labour dispute. 'Waste Management of Canada Corporation can confirm that LiUNA Local 493 is currently on strike. LiUNA Local 493 represents certain Waste Management employees at the company's collection facility in Sudbury, Ont.' — Waste Management of Canada Corporation, statement The strike began July 18, after union members rejected a proposed contract offer from the company. Waste Management's statement went on to express hope for a resolution, stating: 'As we continue the dialogue with LiUNA Local 493, we're optimistic that we'll arrive at a new contract that benefits all parties. We believe our proposals are fair and competitive, and we are eager to reach an agreement with LiUNA Local 493 that recognizes the drivers' and technicians' many contributions to the company and community.' Union open to talks, workers prepared for long haul Matt Alloway, Local 493's assistant business manager, confirmed that no new talks have taken place since the strike began but emphasized the union's willingness to negotiate. 'We haven't had any recent talks since the strike, but we're always open to talk,' Alloway said. He also noted the determination of the workers to stay on the picket until a deal can be made. '(They're) good. They're strong. They're dedicated,' said Alloway. 'They're willing to be out for quite a while.' No major service disruptions expected Waste Management has assured residents and businesses that the strike will not significantly impact waste collection services. The company clarified that commercial waste collection will continue without major disruptions and residential services – unaffected by the strike – will remain uninterrupted. It remains unclear how long the strike will last as both sides await further negotiations.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Call for Birmingham City Council leader to quit in bin strikes row
A union is calling for Birmingham's council leader to quit over what they called the authority's "abhorrent" and "shambolic" handling of the city's bin broke down on Wednesday with the council saying it was "walking away", after conciliation service Acas had started mediating negotiations in John Cotton said the authority had "sought to be reasonable and flexible but we have reached the absolute limit of what we can offer".Unite's national lead officer Onay Kasab said on Thursday: "The way his council under his leadership has mishandled this dispute and with yesterday's appalling announcement, as a Labour councillor he really needs to be considering his position." In response, a spokesperson for the city council did not comment on calls for Cotton to consider his position but said they would be talking to staff and unions about their next union walked out on strike after claiming 170 workers would face losing up to £8,000 a year due to the council's decision to remove Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) of rubbish have been seen across the city at points during the strikes, since bin collection workers walked out in January, with an all-out strike going on since March. On Wednesday, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham repeated earlier claims that the council had resorted to a "fire and rehire" the council of a "shambolic" mishandling of the dispute, including a "daft" attempt to negotiate via a statement to the media, Mr Kasab said on Thursday of Cotton: "I think he really has to seriously consider his position."The national lead officer also stated there had "not been numerous offers that the union has turned down"."The question to the council is how do redundancies and cuts to people's pay improve services," he added. "That's the question that John Cotton really has to answer now."The council leader said on Wednesday that the authority had "now run out of time", after negotiating in good added "unfortunately Unite has rejected all offers so we must now press ahead to both address our equal pay risk and make much needed improvements to the waste service".The Labour-run council would communicate with staff and unions as to its next steps, with voluntary redundancy remaining on the table alongside opportunities for training and redeployment, the leader said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
