St. James Assiniboia School Division maintenance staff hold information picket

St. James Assiniboia School Division maintenance staff traded mops and brooms for picket signs.

Maintenance staff in the St. James Assiniboia School Division traded mops and brooms for picket signs.

On Monday, CUPE Local 744 – which represents maintenance workers in the division – held an information picket outside the division office.

“We’ve been fighting for almost three years now to sign this deal, and we’re just not seeming to get anywhere,” said Bob Guenther, president of the local.

He said the union representing teachers, as well as educational assistants, secretaries and librarians , have all signed deal. Guenther said maintenance workers are still waiting.

“We don’t feel that we’re being respected. We don’t feel like we’re being part of the system,” he said. “We’re here just as much as anybody else for everybody’s kids and to make sure that they have a safe and clean place to work. And we just don’t feel we’re being respected on that.”

In a statement, the division told CTV News it would not comment on any specifics so as not to bargain through the media.

“The Division respects and appreciates the work of our maintenance personnel in ensuring our buildings and grounds are clean, safe, and operating effectively,” reads the statement from superintendent and CEO Jenness Moffatt, along with Secretary-Treasurer and CFO Kim Kummen.

“We remain committed to securing a fair deal for all parties involved and look forward to further discussions with representatives of CUPE Local 744, at the bargaining table.”