THUNDER BAY — The union representing 65 workers on strike at the Port Arthur Health centre says it will "ramp up" its efforts to bring their employer back to the bargaining table.
There has been no public confirmation from management but according to Unifor Local 229 the clinic has refused an offer from a provincial mediator to help the parties end the walkout that started more than six weeks ago.
A union statement issued Tuesday afternoon quoted a copy of an email message it said it had received, in which clinic manager John Marrello said "The board (i.e. doctors) have declined mediation and future negotiations at this time."
Unifor had said on May 8 that it had told the same mediator it was willing to work through her to achieve a settlement.
The union's director of health care, Andy Savela, said Tuesday "we obviously cannot get this resolved if we refuse to communicate with each other. The employer's refusal to meet can only mean there is no end in sight to the strike."
Kari Jefford, president of Local 229, stated that the strikers' spirits are "high" and that they are committed to continue the walkout until a fair offer is received.
Jefford added "we will continue our strong presence on the strike line and we will continue to engage patients of the clinic who have already been tremendously supportive."
Unifor is giving the workers strike pay of $1,000 a month, and is also covering the cost of their health and welfare benefits.
Wages and hours of work are the issues that have blocked a new collective agreement.
