201-269 Main St. W., North Bay, ON P1B 2T8 P(705) 497-3560 F(705) 497-7850
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2015
Collective bargaining between the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area and the Canadian Union of Public Employees and its Local 4720-04, representing the Agency’s front line employees, has been underway since the July 2014 in an effort to reach a first collective agreement.
Following several meeting in North Bay, on November 20, 2014, the Union filed for conciliation with the Ministry of Labour. The parties met at conciliation on February 26th, 27th and again on May 6th, 2015.
Unfortunately the parties were unable to reach an agreement during these negotiations. The Union’s “final offer” to the Agency on May 6th was not a financially realistic one having regard to the Agency’s financial reality.
The Agency has had its funding held without adjustments for wages since FY2011-12. The Agency was last able to provide wage increases to front line staff in 2011-2012 for non-clinic staff and in 2012 for clinic staff. With escalating operational costs it has been difficult to sustain and maintain Agency programs, services and staffing levels but we have done our best to do so.
On July 6, 2015, the Agency was informed by the Conciliation Officer that the Union had requested that a No Board Report be issued. This means that the Union will be in a legal strike position and the Employer will be in a legal lockout position effective 12:01am on July 27, 2015. It is not the Agency’s plan at this time to lockout its employees.
The Union and the Agency do not have further dates scheduled to meet at this time.
The Agency has communicated with its employees as well as to clients, volunteers and community stakeholders.
This is a difficult time and we are hopeful that services to the community will not be impacted by a labour disruption.
The Agency would like to respect the bargaining process and would not like to comment further at this time regarding bargaining.
Should a labour disruption occur, the Agency will not be able to provide services to the community and those living and affected by HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C. We understand this information about potential withdrawal of services may cause anxiety for some of our clients and community stakeholders. The Agency remains committed to reaching a fair and financially sustainable negotiated agreement and to avoiding any disruption to service. We value our employees as dedicated, caring professionals committed to the community we serve.
We want to assure the community that should there be any job action, we will immediately communicate with our clients and other stakeholders.
Stacey Mayhall
Executive Director
Executive Director
(705) 495-7398
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