THUNDER BAY — Canada's largest private-sector union, frustrated by its inability to get back to the bargaining table with the Port Arthur Health Centre, is now taking its case to Thunder Bay city council.
According to a statement issued by Unifor, the union has requested permission to make a deputation and propose a resolution at Monday's council meeting, calling on the doctors at the clinic "to get back to bargaining a fair collective agreement."
The union says it submitted a letter to management on Thursday, July 26 repeating its request for new talks "in light of the workers not being able to reach the employer via phone or email, despite several attempts to do so."
Sixty-five female employees have been picketing for over 100 days.
Unifor spokesperson Katha Fortier said "It's time for the employer to get back to negotiations. All the union is asking for is fair, living wages, and an end to the years of ongoing contract employment."
Although about two-thirds of the workers are casual employees, the union says some of them have worked full-time at the clinic for up to 15 years, and many of them don't have health benefits.
Management at the Port Arthur Health Centre has issued no public statements since the strike began in early April.
City council is expected to consider Unifor's request to make a deputation as an item of new business.
The initial request was denied by City Clerk John Hannam because it came in later than is required by council's procedural rules, but Hannam told Tbnewswatch "notwithstanding that a motion will be coming forth from Committee (of the Whole) to allow the deputation."
