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
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.