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Port Arthur Health Centre workers vote to strike

Union officials say they plan to meet with a conciliator on Wednesday, then seek a no board report if a contract isn't agreed upon by the two sides.
Port Arthur Health Centre
About 65 workers at the Port Arthur Health Centre have voted in favour of strike action if a deal can't be reached. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – Workers at the Port Arthur Health Centre have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

A last-ditch meeting with a conciliator is scheduled for Wednesday.

Unifor Local 229 president Kari Jefford, who represents the 65 or so workers affected by the possible job action, says their previous collective agreement expired on Dec. 31, 2017 and it’s been anything but smooth sailing trying to get a new one in place.

“Negotiations have not gone well and unless there is some major movement from the employer our members have clearly directed the union to proceed with strike action, Jefford said in a release issued on Monday.

“This will obviously have a major impact on the operations of the Port Arthur Health Centre and its patients. As such, we are hopeful we get a deal.”

If the meeting with the conciliator does not produce a new contract, Jefford said the union will ask for a no-board report, the last step required to put workers in a legal strike position.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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