Songs of defiance like Dave Edmund’s ‘I hear you knocking’ is just one of many that filled the air Saturday as CUPE Local 4616 marked Day 107 of their strike with a rally at the Bonfield landfill site.
The songs were meant to send a message to Mayor Randall McLaren, who was back in the landfill waiting to accept trash from residents, to get back to the table and negotiate a fair contract and put an end to the strike.
It was clear on Saturday that everyone is frustrated with the strike, which began August 1st, but no one more than the residents of the township clearly caught in the middle.
They are frustrated with the accumulation of trash at their homes, which is inviting bears and other wildlife on to their properties, while others are worried that their medical clinic will close until the strike is resolved.
But whatever their frustration they all have a clear message for both parties – get this strike resolved and get back to taking care of the township.
Bonfield resident Merv McLaren says the whole situation is utter nonsense and needs to end.
“I agree with some of the union’s point of view but some of them I definitely do not,” he says of the strike.
“It’s just in today’s day and age it is just stupidity.”
He says compromise has to happen in order for the strike to be resolved.
Resident Bob Dugard says it is time to bring in outside sources to resolve the conflict.
“I would say that the majority of residents want a resolution and I think the only way it’s going to happen now is through arbitration.”
“And I would say the majority of the residents especially the friends of the township are really striving for arbitration we want both parties to sit down and work out a contract so that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Aside from the threat of a couple of tickets being issued to union members for not moving the line, the rally was peaceful.
CUPE members vow to keep holding rallies like this one till a resolution is reached and folks are back to work.
