NOSM workers reject tentative contract deal

SUDBURY, ON, Oct. 12 /CNW/ - Striking administrative, clerical and technical workers at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine have voted by a margin of 76.8 per cent against a tentative contract deal reached last week.

"Our members have spoken clearly and their message is that this deal is not good enough," said Tyler England, chair of the bargaining team for Local 677 represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

"The tentative contract failed to address the issues that matter most to our members which include respect and fairness in the workplace."

Turnout for the vote was 94 per cent at NOSM campuses at Laurentian University in Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. NOSM also operates satellite campuses in Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins.

England said his bargaining team is ready to resume negotiations whenever the employer is prepared to return to the bargaining table. Pickets will resume Wednesday morning at Lakehead and Laurentian campuses.

Members of Local 677 have been on strike since Aug. 16 when contract talks broke down.

For further information:

Tyler England
705-561-3391