Contract negotiations between Unifor Local 103 and the ONTC will include guarantees about the survival of the crown corporation say union officials.
"You can negotiate the best contract in the world." Local President Brian Kelly told BayToday, "But if there is no work in the facilities, and there isn't a future for the ONTC what's the point in negotiating increases in benefits and wages?
"That's why the number one issue in bargaining for us in this round is holding the government to some of the commitments they've made throughout the last couple of years to the community and to our members."
Kelly represents approximately 380 workers, whose previous contract expired at the end of last year.
Both sides agreed that with the uncertainty of the organization to hold off until now. Normally negotiations would have started a year ago.
But while the union will still be bargaining for wage and benefits increases, Kelly says the first thing they have to deal with is whether there is work.
"It's a huge issue," said Kelly. "We need to have some certainty for our members and our community and people that we service, that there is a future at the ONTC. This is a critical, important issue."
Kelly says there is already a lot of apprehension among his members with 10 being laid of last week in the paint shop, and the company saying at that time there could be more layoffs in January and March if there is no new work coming in.
"I'm a born optimist," says Kelly, "but this going to be a difficult round and we're saying to the government that they have a role to play in the negotiations. For the last three years they've (the government) actually been running the ONTC.
"Our biggest concern on the management side may not be the people at the table but the people who aren't at the table --- the bureaucrats and the Minister --- what are they saying to the ONTC?"
The union has proposed a novel solution under the Canada Labour code.
It allows the parties to suspend the ability to walk out or strike, and appoint an agreed upon mediator and that person would facilitate discussions with the hope of an agreement.
Management has not yet responded, says Kelly.
