Striking cleaners from Garrison Petawawa took their picket lines to the capital yesterday (Tuesday). Over 80 cleaners from the base, employees of GDI Integrated Services, have been on strike for almost a month. Workers set up picket lines outside the company’s Ottawa office on Industrial Avenue in an effort to get their message across to the public. The union says workers want an increase in wages, better benefits and better working conditions. Another round of talks with GDI is set for Thursday (August 22nd). The Citizen reports in the last round of bargaining, the union negotiated increases of $2.25 per hour so new employees would get $16.50 per hour and those with over five years of experience would get paid $17 an hour. The union says GDI has failed to honour that contract. Over 80 cleaners at Garrison Petawawa have been on strike since talks between GDI and the Local 639 of the Union of National Defense Employees ended on July 24th.
