THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it has not received a counter-proposal to an offer made 11 days ago.
In a brief release updating the strike, the Health Unit says its offer included increased wages and improved benefits, but not any concessions in return.
“The offer was fair and recognized the financial constraints and fiscal reality we face, while at the same time addressing some of ONA’s stated concerns. We requested a counter-proposal from the union which reflected the reality of the Health Unit’s circumstances, but to date have received no such counter-proposal,” the release states.
The nurses, however, have a different take.
“The statement from Thunder Bay District Public Health is a mischaracterization of the facts of this strike," said ONA chief negotiator Pat Carr in a statement released on Friday afternoon.
“The employer’s bargaining team presented its ‘final offer’ to ONA at mediation on Oct. 15, fully aware that our members could not accept it. The final offer meant that the next move is up to the employer.
“ONA has made more than half a dozen requests to this employer to return to the table to negotiate and they have been rejected. If this employer is serious about resuming talks, ONA will be there. Simply name the time and place.”
The unionized nurses have been on strike since Oct. 16.
