Unionized staff rejected the latest offer from the City of Prince George on Friday.
In a vote conducted by the B.C. Labour Relations Board, 82 per cent of CUPE local 399 and local 1048 members voted against accepting the package.
"The city thought that CUPE members would be willing to accept their last offer if they forced them to vote on it. It's a scare tactic and a power play on their part," CUPE 399 president Gary Campbell said in a written statement. "Both locals have resoundingly rejected the employers last offer, predominately because members didn't like being forced to vote on something that both parties hadn't agreed to. They know that's not how bargaining works and didn't want to be bullied into accepting a subpar contract."
CUPE released unofficial results of the vote on Friday, and the B.C. Labour Relations Board will release the final results on Monday, according to a statement by the union.
"By voting 'no' our members have given us a strong mandate to go back to the table with, we hope that the city is prepared to negotiate a contract that is fair and reasonable for CUPE employees and the taxpayers of Prince George," Campbell said.
CUPE 1048 president Janet Bigelow said in a written statement it's time for the city to return to the bargaining table to negotiate an agreement.
"In the past month the city has been more interested in pursuing a public relations campaign that devalues civic workers than bargaining," Bigelow said. "They've surveyed residents about negotiations, put out damaging press releases and plan to hire new communications staff - all tactics waging war on their own employees. This isn't how bargaining is supposed to happen."
Both locals could still file 72-hour strike notice as their strike mandate doesn't expire until early December.
A spokesperson for the City of Prince George could not be immediately reached for comment.
