Workers hit picket lines after NOSM contract talks break down

Ontario Public Service
News Release

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SUDBURY - More than 150 clerical, administrative and technical staff walked off the job today after contract talks with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine broke down.

Picket lines have gone up at the school's two main campuses in Sudbury, at Laurentian University, and at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

The school also operates satellite campuses in Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.

"All along we have said we were at the table to negotiate a fair contract, not to negotiate for a strike," said Tyler England, chair of the bargaining team for Local 677 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

"But as the strike deadline drew closer it became more apparent that the employer didn't appear to be interested in reaching a fair settlement for our members."

In late July members of Local 677 voted 97 percent in favour of strike action if talks broke down.

Five days of mediation last week failed to bring about a settlement.

Outstanding issues include hours of work, overtime, sick leaves, family leaves and wages.

No future talks are scheduled.

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Northern Ontario School of Medicine
News Release

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Mediated talks between NOSM and its OPSEU Staff Unit conclude without settlement

Mediated talks between the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and the School's Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Staff Unit concluded early this morning without settlement.

The OPSEU Staff Unit terminated mediation talks shortly after midnight.

The two parties have been meeting since October 2009 in an effort to negotiate the School's first OPSEU Staff Unit Collective Agreement.

Mediated talks began on Wednesday, August 11 in Thunder Bay, assisted by a Ministry of Labour Mediator.

The 152 members included in the OPSEU Staff Unit work in office, clerical, administrative, technical and service positions.

This excludes employees who are members of the faculty and other agreed upon staff exclusions.

NOSM currently has a collective agreement in effect covering its faculty, librarians and professional staff, which was successfully negotiated in 2006 and renewed in 2008.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is committed to supporting a positive learning environment throughout this labour disruption, and is making every effort to minimize disruptions.

Measures have been taken to ensure that all of NOSM’s scheduled education programs will continue.

NOSM remains committed to reaching a first collective agreement with OPSEU which fairly reflects the unique nature of NOSM and its workforce.

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