City issues preemptive explanation for a lockout: CUPE made us do it

Despite the February 5 deadline for an agreement in the labour negotiations between the city and CUPE Local 416, Doug Holyday promises city hall won’t lock out workers when the clock strikes midnight. That’s reassuring news for anyone who enjoys garbage collection and pickup hockey; however, the promise comes with a caveat. The Globe and Mail reports: “Holyday did not rule out a possible lockout beyond February 5, but suggested the city would only take the measure if provoked.” So what we really have here is a small commitment from the city—no weekend lockout—nicely packaged in some clever PR. By suggesting they’ll only lock out workers if provoked, the city has issued a preemptive explanation for a labour stoppage to citizens: CUPE forced our hand. We have to hand it to Holyday and Co. on this one. They’re doing a shrewd job of maintaining the upper hand. Read the entire story [Globe and Mail] »