Halifax Regional Municipality faces big year of union negotiations

Negotiators at City Hall have a busy year ahead of them, with every major Halifax Regional Municipality labour contract either expired or about to this year or next. 

At the same time, there's a municipal election coming on Oct. 15. That could increase pressure on the city to negotiate these contracts before the fall.

According to draft budget documents, here is what's on the 2016 contract talks to-do list:

• Nova Scotia Union of Public and Private Employees (685 members) – Represents all inside workers, such as customer-service representatives, tax analysts, and many more. Collective bargaining is in progress.
• Halifax Regional Police Association (627 members) – Represents Halifax Regional Police officers and staff. Bargaining is underway. The 12-year collective agreement expired on March 31, 2015.
• International Association of Firefighters Local 268 (440 members) – Represents firefighters and emergency crews. Their 12-year contract expires in 2016.
• Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 108 (459 members) – Represents outside workers such gardeners, plumbers, sports field technicians. A bargaining notice has been filed, but negotiations have not started. Their agreement expired Oct. 31, 2015.
• Amalgamated Transit Union Local 508 (832 members) – Represents bus drivers and ferry operators. Stakeholder consultation is underway. Their contract expires Aug. 31 2016. 
• CUPE Local 4814 – Represents crossing guards. Contract expires March 31, 2017.