Potential CUPE Local 136 Labour Disruption Notice

Public services could be affected as early as November 2, 2023.

The Town of Oakville and CUPE Local 136, the union representing our outside workers and facility operators, have been in collective bargaining since April 2023 including three days with a provincially appointed conciliation officer to help the town and union reach a mutually beneficial agreement. More recently, negotiations have reached an impasse.

A No Board Report was issued by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development on October 16, 2023, which sets the earliest date a labour disruption could happen. As a result, the town and union are in the position of a legal labour disruption as of 12:01 a.m. on November 2, 2023.

The town remains hopeful that a mutually-beneficial agreement that is fair to both taxpayers and employees can be reached. However, in the event of a strike, the delivery of some of Oakville’s public services and programs will face interruption. The town is prepared for the impact and has plans in place to limit the disruption as best as we can.

If there is a strike, arenas and community centres, including pools, will be closed to the public. All libraries, including those in town community centres, will remain open. Seasonal washrooms in town parks and our leash-free areas (dog parks) will be closed.

Other impacted areas and services include recreation and culture programs, as well as parks, roads and works operations.

Updates on the possible labour disruption and its impact will be shared through the town’s website as well as the media. Residents are also encouraged to stay up to date by visiting the Labour Relations page.

Quick Facts and Timeline

• CUPE Local 136 represents the Town of Oakville’s outside workers and facility operators, and is the town’s second largest bargaining unit, with more than 285 members in various roles.
• On Monday, September 18, 2023, CUPE Local 136 advised the town that it would be asking for a provincial conciliation officer to assist in the resolution of the collective agreement currently under negotiations.
• Conciliation is a process by which a Conciliation Officer is appointed by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to meet with the union and the employer to attempt to find common ground and conclude a collective agreement.
• After three days of conciliation without resolution, the town advised CUPE Local 136 on October 10, 2023, that they had requested the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development issue a No Board Report.
• A No Board Report is a formal notice, issued by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development that a board of conciliation will not be appointed. It starts a 17-day period after which either party can formally commence a legal labour disruption.
• A strike vote in favour of a strike was held by the union on October 12, 2023.
• The No Board Report was issued by the Province on Monday, October 16, 2023. Therefore, both the town and CUPE Local 136 will be in the position of a legal labour disruption 17 days later, on November 2, 2023, at 12:01 a.m.