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“That management wants to eliminate seniority-based promotional hiring is a non-starter for our members." — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President
Thunder Bay (20 May 2015) — More than 300 Community Living workers in Thunder Bay, represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), are poised to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m. May 21 unless they can reach a contract agreement.
Only one outstanding item left to negotiate
“It seems apparent that talks will go down to the wire,” said Erin Rice, OPSEU Local 740 President. “There is only one outstanding item left to resolve, but regrettably management seems to be digging in its heels.”
At issue is seniority-based promotional hiring. Under the current collective agreement, full-time openings must be offered to the most senior permanent part-time staff. Management wants to scrap that arrangement.
Management wants to do away with seniority-based hiring
“Our members are incredibly united on this issue,” said Rice. “We want to keep the status quo and management wants no part of it. This is the make or break issue for us.”
Many community living operations in the province have eliminated seniority-based promotions and it is suspected that is why Community Living Thunder Bay has adopted its hard-line approach to the issue.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said Local 740 enjoys the fulsome support of the union in its negotiations.
“That management wants to eliminate seniority-based promotional hiring is a non-starter for our members,” said Thomas. “Whether they reach a tentative deal before the strike deadline or whether they opt to take strike action, both sides should understand our members at Local 740 enjoy the unreserved support of OPSEU/NUPGE.”
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE