A speech given by Ontario's Finance Minister earlier this week has some local unions concerned about upcoming negotiations with the city.
On Tuesday, Dwight Duncan spoke before public sector employers and labour leaders where he said Ontario's fiscal plan provides no funding for increases for collective agreements. CAW Local 229 president Kari Jefford, representing 600 workers at the City's Homes for the Aged, believes that's an attack on the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers.
At least five local unions are in contract negotiations with the city or have talks planned before the end of the summer. Jefford saw her members’ contract expire June 30th. Jefford said she's concerned about a speech this week by Dwight Duncan where he said the Province can't manage the deficit withouth addressing public sector compensation. The city has given the union notice it’s awaiting further clarification from the Province and believes they will be asked to take a wage freeze now and again two years from now.
The public sector is by far the largest employer in Thunder Bay and Jefford said the pitch by Duncan won't just affect City employees but also workers at Lakehead University. She feels the province is forcing this upon the municipality.
Amalgamated Transit Union President Charlie Brown also has concerns. The union has been without a contract for 13 months. He thinks the city will use Duncan's comments as leverage at the table and says he hopes there will be a new direction at city hall after the election.
Calls to the City's human resources department on this matter were not returned.
