NOSM reveals details of rejected offer

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine released details of the tentative contract presented to striking support staff Thursday.

The offer, which Ontario Public Sector Employees Union’s negotiating team agreed to, was rejected by striking union members earlier this week.

NOSM dean Dr. Roger Strasser said the tentative deal included a 3.25 per cent wage increase for the first year of the three-year deal. It also includes a one-time lump sum payment of $1,500. NOSM contends the offer is fair and equitable and is reasonably comparable to other university collective agreements.

Strasser added that it also falls in line with the provincial government's guidelines of no wage increases in the next two years on all new collective agreements.

OPSEU local president Yuk-Sem Won said the union is disheartened at NOSM’s decision to release the information and said it is typical of Strasser to negotiate through the media. But she said it won't affect the next round of negotiations.

The strike began Aug. 16, and no new talks have been scheduled.