Tentative Settlement Reached in Strike by Local 674
After waiting more than two weeks for the employer to return
to the table, negotiators representing Local 674 health care workers and the
Timiskaming Health Unit needed less than ten hours to arrive at a tentative
agreement early this morning.
The tentative agreement calls for wage and vacation
increases along with enhanced education and training entitlements for the 80
nursing, professional-technical and clerical staff who have been on strike
since Sept. 10. A ratification vote will be held on Oct. 1, with the health
unit board of directors expected to approve the tentative settlement the
following day.
“The fact that Local 674 hung tough while the employer
refused to sit down at the table is a real testament to the solidarity of
our members,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “This shows once
again that when we stand united we will get results.”
Thomas also congratulated OPSEU’s negotiating team which
included local 674 bargaining team representatives John Dickinson, Rhonda
Ramsay and Carrol Culhane and staff reps Cindy McQuarrie and Mike
Bissaillion for bringing negotiations to a swift conculusion.
The workers affected by the strike perform a wide variety of
vital health and safety jobs in the Timiskaming Shores region of
northeastern Ontario, including pre-natal clinics, dental hygiene clinics
and food and water safety inspections.
