The union and management assured the public the welfare of the animals will not suffer.
Granby Zoo remained open to the public on Saturday despite a second strike day by the union representing 130 employees, including veterinarians and animal-care technicians, mechanics, carpenters and some administrative staff. Non-unionized managers kept the popular zoo open.
Negotiations are still not progressing fast enough, according to employees represented by the Syndicat national des salariés de la Société zoologique de Granby, affiliated with the CSN.
A first strike day occurred on July 9, after which negotiations resumed, but without much success, the union noted.
The union’s demands for a new collective agreement — the old one expired on Dec. 31 — include better work-life balance and more job security for employees. The union leadership denounced, among other things, the use of subcontractors.
The union is insisting there be only two employee statuses: regular and part-time.
In a press release issued on Saturday morning, the zoo’s management affirmed it respects “the right of striking employees to express their concerns.” Management declared it is doing everything in its power to quickly resolve the labour conflict through a mutually beneficial agreement for all parties concerned.
In separate news release, both the union and management assured the public the welfare of the animals will not suffer as a result of this strike, while the facilities remain open to visitors. Some of the park’s activities have been suspended as a result of the strike.