End the bully tactics, negotiate a fair deal

It’s time to call out the harmful and bully tactics of Chris Wray. Instead of getting back to the table with a real offer without wage cuts for new hires, he’s trying to force these members back to work and force a stripped down contract onto them.

Instead of accepting these terms, the previously locked out Black River-Matheson municipal workers, members of CUPE Local 1490, have taken the courageous step to go on strike.

In a letter sent directly to members, the Chief Administrative Officer of Black River-Matheson, Chris Wray, wrote that “the Township will now accept for re-employment any Staff member who is prepared to agree to the following terms”. This new contract now makes numerous key protections in the previous collective agreement null and void.

This comes on the heels of a forced vote, which the members of CUPE Local 1490 overwhelmingly rejected. The deal contained less in wages for new hires than previous offers that have been rejected and will only make recruitment and retention an issue.

Wray’s actions are part of a pattern of attacking wages, especially those of the next generation of workers, and of ham-fisted tactics. It’s time to name his actions specifically and demand that the Township reject his approach to these hard-working municipal workers.