A union that represents more than 200 inside workers with the City of Regina says a mediator or conciliator is needed to help it reach a new contract with the employer.
The statement from Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 7 is contained in a written notice to Saskatchewan's labour ministry, informing it that the current round of negotiations has reached an impasse.
CUPE says the city is refusing to address many of its main concerns, including a clause in the next agreement that would prevent workplace discrimination against its members.
The union says similar clauses are contained in most municipal agreements in Saskatchewan, including those for the cities of Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Estevan and Weyburn.
CUPE is also seeking a wage increase, improvements to mileage reimbursement for employees doing city business with their own vehicles, and paid bereavement leave to match what out-of-scope employees receive.
The local's previous contract expired at the end of last December.
"After 13 days of negotiations, the union concluded last week that the parties had reached a point where a tentative agreement could not be reached without the assistance of a mediator or conciliator," said Local 7 president Mark Enright in a Thursday news release.
"We did not take this decision lightly, but the employer committee is refusing to address many of the union's key priorities."
The union also said adding a 'no discrimination' clause to the collective agreement would commit both the union and the city to preventing discrimination against employees by reason of the prohibited grounds in Saskatchewan's human rights code, or for participation in the union.
"The clause just makes sense," said Enright. "It's time for the City of Regina to join these ranks and ensure our members are protected from discrimination in the workplace."
There was no immediate comment from the city on the union's statement. (CTV Regina)
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