Oakville community centres and arenas remain closed as CUPE 136 remain on strike

The Town of Oakville and CUPE 136, the union representing our outside workers and facility operators, returned to the bargaining table on Friday, November 3 and talks continued over the weekend. The parties made significant progress and were able to come to an agreement on many key issues including a tentative agreement on wages subject to resolution on outstanding issues. Unfortunately, despite best efforts to negotiate a settlement that would end the strike, the parties have not been successful in closing the gap on a few matters in order to reach a deal that is fair to both employees and taxpayers. 

 The town’s bargaining team returned to the table intent on reaching an agreement, and while the town appreciates the movement made by both parties to close the gap that led to the impasse last month, regrettably, CUPE 136 remains on strike. The town is committed to continuing discussions on the issues that remain outstanding.  

As a result of the ongoing strike, the following facilities remain closed until further notice: 

• Community centres and arenas  
• Washrooms in parks  
• Leash free dog parks  
• Field house at Bronte Athletic Park   

Other impacts include: 

• cancelled recreation and culture rentals and programs 
• suspended loose leaf collection on residential roads (service continues only on primary and secondary roads) 
• services offered by parks, and roads and works operations at a reduced capacity 

The town continues to make its best efforts to limit the disruption as much as possible and ensure that essential service delivery, and health and safety related matters are prioritized.  

Town Hall including ServiceOakville, libraries (including those operating out of community centres), Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate, and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts will remain open. Oakville Transit will continue to operate. The town also offers many services online.  

For updates on the labour disruption and a list of impacted services visit the Labour Relations page. Information will also be shared on the town’s social media channels and with the media. Residents are also encouraged to stay up to date by subscribing to the town’s newsletter and visiting the News and Notices page. 

Quote

"The town has presented the union with one of, if not the best, offers in the municipal sector that recognizes the important work CUPE 136 employees do for our community. This past week, the bargaining teams made great progress together and we were hopeful those productive conversations would end the strike. Unfortunately, we are still not there yet, and more work needs to be done to close the remaining gap so we can all return to providing programs and services our residents count on. Our dialogue with the union is ongoing.” 

– Jane Clohecy, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Oakville.  

Quick Facts   

• CUPE Local 136 went on strike at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023. 
• CUPE Local 136 represents the town’s outside workers and facility operators, and is the town’s second largest bargaining unit, with more than 285 members in various roles.   
• After numerous days of bargaining since April 2023, negotiations reached an impasse last month. 
• On Monday, October 30 the union notified the town they are proceeding with a strike as of 12:01 a.m. on November 2, exercising the first opportunity to strike.