Upcoming Ontario Northland collective bargaining negotiations must include Premier Wynne's government commitment to the North, says the union representing the workers.
Unifor Local 103 representing 350 unionized employees have sent letters to the Wynne Government requesting to open negotiations, to renew five Unifor collective agreements with the Provincial Crown Agency.
'Sooner or later we have to get negotiations going. We want to press the case about what is the plan here," Local 103 President Brian Kelly told BayToday.
"The key issue is, what does the future look like?"
“The timing is right for the Ontario government to engage us in all discussions regarding the transformation and
rejuvenation of the ONTC” he said .
“The Wynne Government has committed to the employees, customers and communities that it would work with Unifor, ONTC, Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation to explore a strategic alliance that would provide badly needed long term opportunities and stability to Ontario Northland. We intend to hold them to that commitment” continued
Kelly.
“Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle has said that the Wynne Government is open to exploring all viable options including a role for the ONTC on developing the Ring of Fire mineral deposit.
"North Bay Mayor Al McDonald and member of the Minister’s Advisory Committee (MAC) succinctly put it last week that 'the North needs a long term approach; a strategic alliance with Metrolinx; a clear direction in regards to the ONTC’s role in the Ring of Fire, and concrete plans for investment in the organization.' That is what the upcoming negotiations will be about”, added Kelly.
