THUNDER BAY – The ongoing labour dispute at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is likely to continue for a while. Contract talks between the North Ontario School of Medicine and OPSEU local 677 representing more than 150 administrative, technical and clerical staff have broken off after four days of mediation, the union reported late Friday.
“A bit of progress was made on some issues, but not anywhere near the kind of movement we need to see on many of our key issues,” said Tyler England, chair of the bargaining team for local 677. “We are disappointed that more progress wasn’t achieved but we are prepared to return to the negotiating table at any time.”
Management reports that “While the NOSM Bargaining Team was prepared to bargain through the weekend, the OPSEU Staff Unit left the bargaining table at 4 p.m. this afternoon. Although considerable progress was made this week, the parties were unable to resolve all outstanding matters and reach a first collective agreement”.
NOSM has proposed that the two sides resume bargaining again September 30 and October 1, 2010, and is awaiting response from the OPSEU Staff Unit.
No future bargaining dates have been scheduled.
Outstanding issues include contracting out, transfers to alternate locations, hours of work, overtime and wages.
Members of local 677 work at NOSM campuses at Laurentian University in Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Satellite campuses operate in Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.