Striking workers to present resolution to City Council

THUNDER BAY, ON, July 30, 2018 /CNW/ - Health care workers at Port Arthur Health Centre, Unifor Local 229 members, will be asking to speak to municipal officials at a City Council meeting in Thunder Bay on Monday, July 30, 2018.  

"These 65 striking workers, all women, have been on the picket line for over 100 days now," said Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President. "It's time for the employer to get back to negotiations. All the union is asking for is fair, living wages, and an end to the years of ongoing contract employment."

To date, the employer has refused multiple requests by the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Union to get back to negotiations for a new collective agreement with the workers. Unifor submitted a letter to the employer on Thursday, July 26, 2018, once more calling on the employer to get back to the bargaining table. This is in light of the workers not being able to reach the employer via phone or email, despite several attempts to do so.

WHAT: Request to make a deputation at Thunder Bay City Council meeting, calling on the doctors of the Port Arthur Health Centre to get back to bargaining a fair collective agreement

WHEN: 6 p.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018

WHO: Striking workers of the Port Arthur Health Centre, Kari Jefford, Unifor Local 229 President, Katha Fortier, Assistant to the National President, Andy Savela, Unifor Director of Health Care.

WHERE: 1827 Walsh St E, Thunder Bay

Prior to participating in the City Council meeting, the union will be holding a rally at noon. The rally takes place every Monday at noon, outside the Port Arthur Health Centre at 194 Court St N, Thunder Bay.

At the Port Arthur Health Centre, 43 of the 65 women are casual employees, even though some of them have been working full-time at the Centre for up to 15 years. Even though these workers provide font line health care services for patients in Thunder Bay, many of them do not have health benefits of their own because of working conditions.  

"The support from the community has been incredible, and it has bolstered the morale of the workers on strike," said Kari Jefford, Unifor Local 229 President. "From showing up to the picket line, to holding community events and even displaying lawn signs in support of the workers, the people of Thunder Bay are rallying with us and for us."

There are several ways to show support for the workers. For more information visit unifor.org/portarthurhealthstrike

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor