CBRM Outside Workers Vote Yes to Job Action

SYDNEY, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After months of negotiations, outside workers for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality have voted yes to strike action. Late last week, Local 759 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees held a strike vote, with 96% of votes in favour of possible job action.

“As we have shown our employer in the past, our members are ready to fight for what we know we deserve,” said CUPE 759 President, Dave Kelloway.

Several issues remain on the table: Workers are seeking improvements to leave benefits; competitive wage increases to combat staffing shortages and improved protections that would prevent the employer from undermining seniority.

CUPE 759 represents over 300 workers employed by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, in roles such as carpenters, cleaners, heavy equipment operators, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, horticulturalists, transit operators, solid waste collection & processing, parks and grounds workers, and water & wastewater treatment operators.

“We maintain all CBRM infrastructure, buildings, and public assets. From roads to parks to ice surfaces—and everything in between,” continued Kelloway. “As public workers, we feel privileged to serve communities that we both live and work in. We are proud of the work we do, and we are proud of the island we call home.”

CUPE 759 members have been without a contract since November 2024.

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