Cochrane mayor Peter Politis is confident going into contract talks this month with the CUPE Local 71, local representing all 60 non-management positions with the town.
He says the workers are critical to what the town does. So are the priorities council has set for this term, including housing, road improvements and doctor recruitment.
“We’re going to focus in on those at the same time,” the mayor remarks. “keep cognizant of those; just make responsible decisions as we go through this.”
Union membership has given its bargaining team a 96 percent strike mandate, should this round of talks fail. They’ve been without a contract since the end of 2021. Talks resume June 22nd.
“We really need to walk our way through this carefully; make sure we’re making responsible decisions; we’re not only being fair and looking after the workforce and the employees, but we can’t lose sight of those priorities,” Politis reiterates.