Last-minute snag means strike continues in Black River-Matheson
Negotiations in Black River-Matheson nearly led to a deal last week, with the resumption of bargaining talks, where members of CUPE Local 1490 are still on strike.
Union leaders said a condition for a deal to end the six-month-old dispute was for all sides to cease legal action against each other, but that caused another stalemate.
In a news release last week, the township said it agreed to give unionized workers a 14 per cent pay bump over four years, a union-approved wage grid and better vacation time.
The parties seemed ready to sign -- until the union proposed a back-to-work protocol.
“It provides a protection, for all of our members going back to work, that there will be no reprisals for anything that arose during the lockout or strike,” said CUPE’s Serge Bouchard.
“It gives them at least a comfort, going back to work, not having to look over their shoulders and let’s just start moving forward.”
Bouchard said the protocol would also see both parties drop their legal actions against each other.
The union applied for a judicial review of the township’s conduct, claiming it violated Charter rights in February by banning CUPE members from town facilities.
Meanwhile, the township hired an investigator to determine whether union members have been displaying threatening and harmful behaviour.
Unwilling to call off the investigation, the town rejected the back-to-work protocol but stands by the settlement. It’s now appealing to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to order both parties to sign the deal.
Mayor Doug Bender released a statement that said members are welcome to return to work.
“We have also indicated that if the (Ontario Labour Relations Board) changes something on May 4, the township will act accordingly,” Bender said.
“There is now no good reason for the union to delay the return to work.”
But Bouchard said all issues should be cleared up first.
“We’ll save a pile of money on legal fees, on both sides, and it’s an avenue to start working together,” he said.
“Without this, they may try to terminate or discipline people for their involvement in the picket line and that’s just not something that we’re willing to subject our people to.”
In response, the township said the collective agreement already addresses reprisal and harassment of employees.
We attempted to reach Bender for further comment but he was unavailable and the town’s CAO did not respond.
Meantime, around a dozen members are still on strike. Three workers have crossed the picket line and are awaiting penalty from the union.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
An American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, U.S. officials say
An American soldier has been arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, according to U.S. officials. The soldier was stationed in South Korea and was in the process of returning home to the United States, but travelled to Russia.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Competition Bureau launches inquiry into Lululemon over 'greenwashing' allegations
Canada's Competition Bureau has launched an inquiry into Vancouver-based Lululemon following a complaint from members of an environmental group.
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc tabled legislation in the House of Commons on Monday proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Bill C-70 proposes to enact a new 'Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act.'