THUNDER BAY — A new mediator has been appointed as the labour dispute at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit approaches its fifth week.
According to a spokesperson for the Ontario Nurses Association, the provincial labour ministry has replaced the previous mediator with a more senior colleague.
It's an encouraging development for Becky Bridgman, the ONA representative for the 58-member bargaining unit.
"I'm hopeful that this will be instrumental in bringing both sides back to the table," Bridgman said after hearing about the appointment Monday.
Bridgman said the first mediator assigned to the dispute "wasn't effective in bringing us together," and that TBDHU officials felt the same way.
"We need somebody who can see our [respective] sides a little bit better," Bridgman said.
As yet, however, there is no word from the new mediator on a date for any meetings.
In a brief statement to Tbnewswatch via email, the TBDHU's Director of Corporate Services, Lance Dyll, said the health unit has been in touch with the ONA regarding next steps.
"We remain committed to the negotiations process and reaching an agreement that is acceptable to both parties," the statement added.
The nurses walked off the job on October 16, seeking an improvement in their wages which the ONA has described as the lowest among nurses working at any health unit in Ontario.
The last collective agreement between the ONA and the TBDHU expired nearly two years ago.
