Union accepts deal to end strike in Waterloo Region

The union representing more than 200 employees has reached a deal with Waterloo Region. CTV’s Jeff Pickel explains how tensions remained high until the end.

A strike by some Waterloo Region workers is officially over.

A tentative deal was reached earlier this week after members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1656 began job action on March 3 at 12:01 a.m. The union represents approximately 240 workers in road maintenance, landfill services, airport support, water treatment and emergency vehicle repair.

The offer included an almost 12 per cent salary increase for all positions over three years with a one dollar per hour wage adjustment and a 3.5 per cent increase in the first year.

The deal also committed to a market review for skilled trades workers and other benefits such as banked overtime, meal allowances and stand-by rates.

Union members held a ratification vote after the potential deal was announced and the final approval was given during a special meeting of Regional Council on Friday afternoon.

Council unanimously approved a tentative Memorandum of Settlement for the union workers. The memorandum covers from Jan. 1, 2025 until Dec. 31, 2027.

Tensions from labor dispute

Throughout the strike, the union utilized picketing to get their point across.

Even after the union voted to approve the deal on Friday, they stuck with these tactics and blocked buses and garbage trucks coming and going from the Savage Drive waste site in Cambridge.

Earlier Friday morning, picketers were also at the bus terminals on Strasburg Road and Northfield Drive controlling the movement of buses.

Their actions were met with strong words from the Region of Waterloo who were hours away from ratifying a deal at the time.

“I am deeply disappointed by the actions of CUPE Local 1656 members this morning,” said Region of Waterloo Chair, Karen Redman, in a statement Friday. “Despite a tentative agreement, their picketing caused unnecessary chaos. Cancelling and delaying bus trips that residents rely on.”

In turn, the union said this could have been avoided if the Region acted quicker.

“CUPE 1656 members are picketing today because they must in order to receive strike pay,” said CUPE Local 1883 President, Noelle Fletcher. “Karen Redman and the rest of council had the opportunity to ratify the agreement on Wednesday or Thursday, which would have allowed CUPE 1656 members to return to work without any disruption to the public. If Karen Redman is going to issue a media release, it should include all the facts.”

The Region said with a deal so close, the disruptive activities only hurt residents.

“Workers were left stranded, students struggled to get to class, and some may have even missed critical medical appointments,” said Redman.

It was a frustration felt by transit user, Ronald Poyntz.

“You have no warning. You get up on Wednesday morning, you walk out to your bus expecting your bus to be there, and a bus never shows up,” he said. “You know, I gotta get to work. I gotta get a paycheck. I got nothing worth of beef, but I’m the guy that’s paying the price, and it just doesn’t feel right.”

After missing three hours of work during the week due to the delays, he just hopes it doesn’t happen again.

“[It’s] good news. I hope it stays over.”