This Week in Press Releases - January 23-29, 2016

Every week, the City of Guelph and other groups send out notices to announce new events, imperatives, and information that you need to know. Here is this week in press releases.

City and CUPE Begin Negotiations

In case you were wondering, this is what the extra long closed council meeting was about this past Monday. Negotiations are set to begin between two city employee unions, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals, 241 and 973 representing the City’s full and part-time outside and office employees. In a separate negotiation, CUPE Local 1946, representing the library employees, will also be looking to secure a new contract with the City. With three unions without a contract, council is looking a way to create new  agreements that satisfy the union while not breaking the bank. "Council was clear in its direction," said Mayor Cam Guthrie in a statement. "We hope and expect to negotiate a contract that is fair to our employees whose work we value every day as they deliver exceptional programs and services to our community; reasonable and affordable for our citizens and recognizes the City’s capacity to pay; and aligned with settlements of other unionized employee groups." The contracts for 345 outside employees, 232 office employees and 38 library employees expire as of February 1, 2016.

Closure at York and Wyndham Roads Next Week

The corner where York Road turns into Wyndham Street South (I refuse to call *that* an intersection, will be closed to all but local traffic for one week next week (weather permitting), as the next phase of construction along there beings. This is all part of a project that start last November to install new sanitary and storm sewers, water mains, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, bike lanes and on–street parking. Through traffic and truck traffic are being told to use Elizabeth Street as an alternate route, but local access will be maintained along York Road. Traffic on Wyndham Street will be maintained in both directions between Wellington Street and York Road, but lane width will be reduced to accommodate construction. Motorists are being warned to expect delays. Click here for more on the subject.