JASON SETNYK
Members of CUPE Local 3251 have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate as tensions rise over recent layoffs and looming budget pressures at the City of Cornwall.
The union, which represents roughly 190 inside workers, says 90 per cent of participating members supported a strike mandate in an October 30 vote held shortly after the City announced it would eliminate 26 municipal positions, including 14 CUPE 3251 jobs, as part of “strategic workforce adjustments” ahead of the 2026 budget. The elimination of the 26 positions will save the City $2.4 million.
“The 90 per cent strike mandate reflects the concern of our members, especially in light of recent layoffs and the challenging start to negotiations,” said CUPE 3251 President Roxanne Rivette-Bancroft, a case manager in social assistance.
According to CUPE 3251, members safeguard Cornwall’s drinking water, run aquatic and recreation programs, and help residents access social services, housing and other supports. The union argues the layoffs will strain front-line services and be felt most by vulnerable residents.
Rivette-Bancroft said layoff notices went out on October 15, just days before the first bargaining dates of October 20-22, and without consultation with workers. The collective agreement expired on September 30, 2025.
“It’s deeply frustrating that even before bargaining began, the City of Cornwall is signalling to workers that they don’t value our contribution or well-being,” she said in a CUPE media release. “These layoffs are going to make city services unequal, and they are going to be felt most by our communities most vulnerable.”
CUPE is also challenging the City’s explanation that the cuts are driven by “budget constraints,” pointing instead to capital projects that have come in significantly over budget. The Cornwall Arts and Culture Centre, originally approved at $10.5 million, is now expected to cost more than $15 million, while upgrades at the Cornwall Civic Complex are approximately $750,000 over budget. Earlier this fall, the CUPE president accused the City of “poor financial management” and said workers are being punished for past decisions.
City officials maintain there will be no change to hours of operation, response times for the public, or facility operations, saying remaining staff will absorb the workload. In a statement to Seaway News, Deputy CAO and Fire Chief Matthew Stephenson said the municipality remains committed to the bargaining process.
“The City of Cornwall reaffirms its commitment to engaging in good faith negotiations with CUPE 3251,” said Stephenson. “We acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of our employees and remain dedicated to participating in transparent dialogue.”
Negotiations between the two parties are set to resume next week on December 8, 9, and 10. Rivette-Bancroft said the union will be pressing for accountability on the layoffs and for a plan that protects services.
“Negotiations began on the wrong foot because the City announced layoffs just three business days before our first bargaining session,” she said. “There is no point negotiating pay increases if the jobs themselves are being eliminated.”
The dispute comes as council prepares for difficult budget deliberations shaped by a new Long-Term Financial Plan. That 10-year roadmap, presented on November 24, projects average annual tax levy increases of about 5.9 per cent between 2025 and 2035 if current service levels are maintained and major capital projects proceed without being staggered.
CAO Tim Mills has described the situation as a “perfect storm” of aging infrastructure, rising costs, and limited revenue growth that will leave council facing tough decisions on taxes, services, and the timing of major capital projects.
Rivette-Bancroft rejects the idea that front-line staff should bear the brunt of that pressure.
“We still have to serve the same population with fewer people,” she said. “That means slower service, more strain, and less support for residents.”
CUPE 3251 members have rallied outside City Hall several times and are planning to keep a visible presence throughout budget season. The union is also encouraging residents to attend the City’s “café-style” budget consultation at the Benson Centre on December 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to share their concerns about services and staffing.
Both sides say they remain committed to staying at the table. But with a strong strike mandate in place and a challenging Long-Term Financial Plan shaping council’s decisions, the next round of bargaining is likely to be difficult.
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