The Town of Holyrood has postponed its annual Crystal Carnival amid the ongoing conflict between the town and its unionized workers.
After deciding to hold a strike vote, CUPE workers discovered on the morning of February 4 that they had been locked out. That, following unsuccessful contract negotiations with the town.
The roster of 15 employees is responsible for tasks like snow and ice control, water and sewer work, and other municipal services. The town maintains its final offer was generous—5.5 per cent over three years, on top of a nine per cent raise over the previous three years. But CUPE negotiator Ed White indicated that workers in Holyrood are still well below wages paid by towns of similar size.
In a notice issued this afternoon, the Town states that they’ve decided to postpone the event to avoid subjecting residents to what they call “the inevitable picketing” by unionized employees.
While the Crystal Carnival has been postponed until further notice, the town says some groups will still be going ahead with their planned events.
Further information is online at CrystalCarnival.ca.