Midland town workers set strike vote for Sept. 24

MIDLAND, ON, Sept. 23, 2014 /CNW/ - With contract talks stalled, about 60 unionized employees for the Town of Midland are set to take a strike vote tomorrow, Sept. 24.

"We thought we had a deal in place back in June, but regrettably town council rejected it," said Gary Hamelin, chair of the bargaining team for Local 328 represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

"At this point we have no intention of walking off the job but we're hoping a strike mandate from our members will send a strong signal to the town that we're very serious about negotiating a deal."

The tentative two-year deal which members of town council rejected would have delivered a zero per cent wage increase in the first year and two per cent payable in the second, with half the increase in January and the second increase in June.

Both sides met with a conciliator last week in an effort to get contract talks going again. No further talks are scheduled.

Local 328 include outside workers, parks and recreation staff and operators at the waste water plant. Their previous contract with the town expired on Dec. 31, 2013.

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Gary Hamelin, Chair, Bargaining Team, Tel: [phone]