VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 5, 2012) - The 1,500 members of CUPE Locals 917 and 951 launched job actions at the University of Victoria at 9 am this morning. About 100 members of CUPE 917 set up a picket line outside the Saunders facilities management building at McKenzie and Finnerty Road. Meanwhile, CUPE 951 has initiated a ban on paid overtime.

CUPE 917 president Rob Park said the Saunders building was chosen "because we don't provide direct services to students from that building, so there won't be a negative impact on students." Park added that job actions will escalate "unless we return to the bargaining table for meaningful negotiations."

The last contract expired in 2010 and the union has met with the employer more than 20 times without significant progress.

CUPE Local 951 represents the office, technical and child care workers at UVic and CUPE Local 917 represents tradespeople, supervisors, grounds workers, janitors, housekeepers, lifeguards, drivers, food service and auditorium Staff, security officers, houseworkers and cooks.