Countdown to Arbitration

The Hamiltonian has been advised by the arbitrator that the November 11th session referenced below has been adjourned. We are unaware of the reason, at present.

Our readers will recall that The Hamiltonian has provided extensive coverage of the water workers’ strike. Throughout our reporting, we have repeatedly requested that the City of Hamilton disclose to taxpayers the total costs associated with this labour dispute. To date, the City has not provided that information—a troubling lack of transparency on several levels.

On November 11, another significant phase of the dispute will unfold. An arbitrator will hear submissions from both parties regarding wage parity between CUPE and the City’s Water Operations and Trades workers. At the heart of the matter is a $3.00-per-hour discrepancy. The union contends that even if parity were achieved, its members would still earn approximately $2.00 per hour less than their counterparts in comparable municipalities.

Members of the public are invited to observe the arbitration by joining via the YouTube link provided below. The arbitrator has issued a clear directive that no one may record or reproduce any portion of the proceedings—audio or video—without express authorization. We ask all viewers to respect this instruction as well as any other instruction he may elect to convey. 

The Hamiltonian extends sincere thanks to Arbitrator Jesse Nyman for working with The Hamiltonian to facilitate  public access and to Mr. Hoath of the union for drawing this matter to our attention.

Here is the YouTube link that will be active November 11. Click here  

Photo by OMAR SABRA on Unsplash