Both sides working under deadline of no-board ruling
Members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 328, representing outside workers with the Town of Midland, Ont., have ratified a tentative agreement reached last week.
Negotiations began in June but stalled last month. At the union's request, the Ministry of Labour issued a "no board" report, thereby triggering a 17-day countdown to a strike.
However, last-minute mediation avoided a labour disruption.
OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas said Midland council seems to have a taste for brinkmanship, noting that workers had to resort to a strike mandate in 2014 to get the town to bargain seriously.
"This time, outside workers were bending over backwards to get a deal," said Thomas. "And while councillors are the only part-time town workers with benefits, they tried to rob full-time workers of their drug and dental benefits.
Local 328 represents the town's parks and recreation, operations and water and wastewater staff.
