Talks may continue

Negotiations between the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the union representing its now striking support workers could restart next week, a union official said Friday.

Talks between Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 677 and NOSM broke down Aug. 18 and 150 administrative, technical and clerical staff walked off the job from Lakehead Univeristy and Laurentien University campuses. The union’s demands include a first-time collective agreement with what it calls clearly defined overtime, wages, sick leave and family leave.

Tyler England, chair of OPSEU Local 677 bargaining team, said negotiations could start as early as Wednesday.

"We have tentative dates booked for Sept. 1 and 2," England said. "We’re hoping those talks do indeed happen. They are scheduled to be in Sudbury. We’re really hoping within those two days we’re able to reach an agreement and that management is in a little bit better negotiation mood than last time."

Generally, compensation for NOSM staff ranged from $28,000 to about $60,000. England said they asked for an increase of about 2 per cent to reach what he believes is the status quo.

While both sides say they are happy to return the negotiation table, discussions may prove difficult.

The Ontario 2010 budget placed a zero net compensation increase for new collective agreements that were at least two years in length. NOSM dean Roger Strasser said on Tuesday that those policies complicated the negotiation process and wasn’t sure how going against the policies would affect the school.

However, on Friday, he said that he looked forward to talks continuing and added he has a few new ideas to bring to the table. The dean, however, refused to provide any details.

"The medical bargaining team has been looking at the outstanding issues and will be coming to the bargaining table with some new ideas," Strasser said. "The negotiations will restart and this is by an agreement by both OPSEU and NOSM and with the government appointed mediator."

The announcement to return to negotiations followed a cheque presentation of $1 million from the Canadian Association of University Teachers Defence Fund for OPSEU to put toward strike costs.

CAUT president Larry Hale presented the cheque and said the money would help to ensure the costs were covered, which included strike pay for workers and legal fees.

"You cannot break this union, you cannot out lawyer us," Hale said to the crowd of strikers. "We’re going to make darn sure of that because if (NOSM) pulls any funny stuff we’re going to back you guys up."

England said the funds ensure that the union can continue to be competitive at the negotiation table and continue picketing as long as they need to.