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Guelph Politico is locally sourced and dedicated to covering the political and cultural scene in the City of Guelph. Est. 2008.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

PRESS RELEASE - Negotiations Begin Again with Local Firefighters


If you're thinking to yourself, "Wait a minute, didn't we just secure a new contract with firefighters a year ago?" you're wrong. It was actually 10 months ago. But since the agreement was backdated to January 2013, that means that by the time the agreement was reached it was about 60 per cent over. So the time has come to arrange a new contract, and the City of Guelph and the Mayor's Office has outlined the process.
Here's the press release from the City of Guelph: 
Guelph, ON, February 23, 2015 – The City of Guelph and the Guelph Professional Firefighters’ Association (GPFFA) are set to begin contract negotiations on Friday, February 27.  Further bargaining meetings are scheduled for March 5, 6, 10, 11, 31 and April 4.

During this evening’s City Council meeting, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie issued the following statement:

"Earlier this evening, Council provided direction to staff with a mandate to commence collective bargaining with the Guelph Professional Firefighters’ Association.

"Council was clear in its direction. We hope and expect to negotiate a contract that is fair to our employees whose work we value every day in helping to keep our community safe; a contract that is also fair, reasonable and affordable for our citizens and recognizes the City’s capacity to pay.

"Council believes firefighters should be paid well for the work they do, and expects the negotiated settlement to be aligned with other City of Guelph union groups’ settlements.

"Staff will be reporting back to Council regarding the status of negotiations and recommended next steps at the June 22, 2015 council meeting.”

Updates will be posted at guelph.ca/gpffa as negotiations get underway.

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