Sault hospital workers picket to press for new collective agreement
Some Sault Area Hospital workers who have been without a collective agreement for more than a year and a half were on the picket line Wednesday.
Unifor Local 1359 represents 15 staff, including dispatch, electricians, and maintenance at the hospital that are employed by EllisDon Facilities.
The union held an information picket outside the hospital's main entrance, hoping to gain community support as the workers aren't legally allowed to strike.
Unifor 1359 President Cathy Humalamaki said wages are a huge issue. The two sides have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement since July 2022.
Humalamaki said EllisDon refuses to budge on a pay increase of one per cent.
She said the company is acting as if the workers fall under Bill 124, which prevents the increase of hospital staff wages above one per cent.
But the staff are not health care workers, she said, and the bill does not apply to them.
“EllisDon should not be hiding behind Bill 124 that was put out for hospital workers,” Humalamaki said.
“Bill 124 has already been deemed unconstitutional and we still continue that fight with our hospital workers. But our maintenance guys shouldn’t even be under that umbrella.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
She said pay for those staff is well below industry standards, making it difficult to attract and retain employees.
For example, Humalamaki said when the hospital lost two plumbers, some of those responsibilities were pushed to untrained workers.
"They're expecting our maintenance to do the work of a skilled trade," she said.
In an email to CTV News, EllisDon denied the union’s accusation that it wants arbitration instead of negotiation.
"Our attempts to contact the Local (1359) since early last week have gone unanswered," the email said, adding that the company "remains committed to the bargaining process."
Company officials did not comment on the one per cent wage increase or its connection to Bill 124.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.