Share
August 9, 2018
THUNDER BAY – Unifor has presented an offer to the Port Arthur Health Centre to settle the 124 day long strike by 65 women, members of Unifor Local 229.
“This offer is fair to both sides, and more importantly would pave the way to quickly reopen the health centre so patients can get the health care they need,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
“All we need now is for the doctors to return the table and negotiate a final agreement.”
The offer was sent to the doctors who run the centre this evening. It addresses the needs of both the employer and the members of Local 229.
Throughout this week, hundreds of union and community members from Thunder Bay and across Ontario and Manitoba have joined the workers as they protest unfairly low wages and precarious working conditions, and to back up their call for the doctors to return the bargaining table.
Rather than bargain, however, the doctors went to court seeking an injunction to force union members to allow patients and doctors into the building.
“The best way to get the health centre back to full operation is to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal. We could have reached a deal for all the time and effort spent in court,” said Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President.
Unifor has also reached out with the employer to discuss developing a picketing protocol as per Madame Justice Pierre's interim order.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy, including about 30,000 health care workers across Canada. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
For more information, please contact Communications Director Natalie Clancy at @email or (cell) 902-478-9238.
