Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
December 12, 2017 - 9:59 AM
KELOWNA - Jail guards who work in the Kelowna RCMP detachment have served 72-hour strike notice.
Canadian Union of Public Employees local 338 said in a press release the 17 jail guards are employees of Commissionaires B.C. who have been negotiating with the company for their first contract for over six months.
The release says the local has made numerous attempts to reach an agreement including mediation sessions with B.C. Labour Relations over the outstanding issue of wages.
Duties for local jail guards include overseeing prisoners, assisting with personal and cell searches and finger printing prisoners, the union says, and they often face physical and verbal abuse.
CUPE says Kelowna jail guards make at least $5 an hour less than other municipal jail guards in similar communities, forcing some to live just above the poverty line.
The notice means guards can take strike action as of Thursday, December 14 at 4 p.m.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017