Tentative agreement reached between region and striking outside workers
Posted Mar 26, 2025 09:52:16 AM.
Last Updated Mar 26, 2025 03:30:49 PM.
The Region of Waterloo is announcing that a tentative deal has been reached with CUPE Local 1656, putting an end to a nearly month-long strike that closed waste management centres in Cambridge and Waterloo.
“I am pleased that a tentative deal has been reached with the union,” said Regional Chair Karen Redman in a press release on Wednesday. “I want to thank the Region of Waterloo bargaining team and the union executive team for reaching this point. We look forward to welcoming all CUPE Local 1656 employees back to work.”
The offer reportedly agreed upon includes a salary increase of about 12 per cent over a three-year period, with a $1 per hour wage adjustment and a 3.5 per cent increase in the first year.
In a statement, CUPE Local 1656 noted that the tentative deal will need to be ratified by the membership in a vote set for Thursday.
“We will issue a statement pending the outcome of that vote and whether it has been accepted by the membership or not,” Eric Bell, spokesperson for the union said. “As for now, the strike remains on until the contract is officially ratified.”
The job action caused waste management centres in Cambridge and Waterloo to close, and demonstrations and picket lines popped up across Waterloo Region and at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.
“I know that residents have seen impacts to services since the beginning of this strike and I look forward to the restoration of all regional services as soon as possible,” added Redman.
Outside workers were picketing outside of a Grand River Transit terminal in Cambridge, causing disruptions to bus schedules.
“Unifor Local 4304 members are proud to serve the community of Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge,” said local president Heath Abbott. “We ask that our ridership be compassionate for the transit workers who are also inconvenienced while CUPE members fight for a fair collective agreement from the Region of Waterloo.”
As soon as the announcement was made that an possible agreement had been reached, that disturbance ended.
