Contract talks between Unifor and Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout are scheduled to resume next week.
A conciliator will be involved.
The organization’s 120 employees have been working without a new contract since last August.
The two sides attempted to discuss an new agreement last fall, but talks broke down in November with wages the key stumbling point.
The union says the organizations is offering lump-sum payments in lieu of a general wage increase for some years.
“For anyone to be offered a zero with the kind of inflation we’ve experienced is absolutely unacceptable,” states Katrina Peterson, Unifor Local 324 President, in a release.
“Inflation has risen almost 19% over the last 5 years and as a result, Unifor has successfully negotiated fair wage increases with several healthcare and social services agencies across the region.”
“I would say this employer has been fair in the past, but seriously, you can’t say you care about your staff while watching their pay cheques get stretched thinner year after year and then offer them token wage increases and even wage freezes, ” adds Peterson.
Seniority and safety concerns related to forced overtime shifts are other key issues.
Employees voted this week 100% in favour of strike action to back contract demands.
Stephen Boon, Unifor’s Northern Area Director says they are still committed to working towards a negotiated settlement.
“Our memberships have expressed solid support for their bargaining committees, and we informed them we will continue to work to achieve fair deals in an attempt to minimize any disruptions to the people they are committed to serve,” says Boon.
He adds that if conciliation fails to produce an agreements, mediated talks are still possible.
“However, failing that, our memberships will begin preparations for potential strike action as early as next month,” states Boon.
