The union that represents about 100 staff at Avenue Two Community Program Services in Thunder Bay says management has set the stage for a lockout that could begin in about three weeks.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, in a news release on Wednesday, accused management of short-circuiting the bargaining process by requesting a "no board" report from a provincial conciliator.
However, the agency's executive-director, Suzann Doherty, said the step was necessary in order to properly prepare clients and their families for a potential labour disruption.
Avenue Two, a not-for-profit organization, supports individuals with developmental disabilities.
Its last collective agreement with OPSEU expired at the end of March, 2016.
Union spokesperson Silvana Cacciatore said that at a meeting with the conciliator last month, "the employer presented us with their final offer and a request for a no-board. In essence, they created a like-it-or-lump-it situation, where they've shut the door on further talks until last-ditch mediation on September 25."
Last June the membership voted 96% in favour of giving the bargaining committee a mandate to call a strike if necessary.
OPSEU is seeking what it calls "meaningful" wage improvements.
The union is also resisting a pilot project that it says would significantly impact members' work schedules, and has said it objects to management's proposal that all outstanding grievances be withdrawn.
