Firefly Northwest reaches tentative contract agreement

KENORA, ON, Sept. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Workers at Firefly Northwest today reached a tentative contract agreement with their employer.

No details of the settlement were released pending the results of a ratification vote that is scheduled for October. Firefly Northwest employs about 150 unionized workers.

"With the assistance of a conciliator we were able to come to an agreement because both sides were committed to reaching one," said Amy Stamp, a member of the bargaining team which is represented by Local 702 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas, said a strike vote taken by the employees earlier this month likely set the stage for a quick settlement.

"Our members indicated by their support for possible strike action that they wanted to see progress at the table and today's agreement was an outcome of that. I congratulate both sides for reaching a tentative contract deal."

Firefly Northwest is a non-for-profit, charitable multi-service agency providing physical, emotional, developmental and community services for children, youth, adults and their families. Members of Local 702 include mental health counsellors, childcare workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language pathologists, clerical and support staff, among others categories. They work in eight communities across northwest Ontario including Kenora, Dryden, Ear Falls, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Atikokan and Fort Frances.

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Amy Stamp, OPSEU Local 702 Bargaining Team, Cell: 705-718-3420