The Nipissing and Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society says it’s ready to get back to the bargaining table.

This follows a proposal from a provincially appointed conciliator.

The employees were locked out on December 23rd.

Executive Director Gisele Hebert says they have been willing to resume talks on all outstanding issues including the sick leave benefit.

She says they are committed to reaching a negotiated settlement that is fair and recognizes the reality of limited funding.

 

(CCAC)

A strike mandate has been given to the negotiating committee representing Ontario Nurses Association members at the North East Community Care Access Centre, including here in North Bay.
Talks are slated for later this month.
Nearly 300 members around the region have been without a contract since March 2016.
They include care and placement coordinators, care connectors, wound care nurses, mental health and addictions nurses, rapid response nurses and in Telehomecare.
The ONA says they’re looking for they’re looking for a comparable collective agreement to other CCAC members doing similar work in other parts of the province.
“The work our CCAC members do ensures that patients’ care needs are accurately assessed, that those needing support and therapy for a range of conditions receive that help in a timely manner. Our members are vital to patients’ needs,” says ONA First Vice-President Vicki McKenna, RN. “From school children to those at the end of life, our members are there for them.”
McKenna notes that while ONA CCAC members do not wish to be forced to withdraw their services, they are united in their goal of negotiating a fair collective agreement that is comparable to that of CCAC members doing similar work in other parts of the province.
NECCAC members must not be treated like the ‘poor cousin in the north’ – providing first-class health care and being compensated with second-class wages.
“As health-care providers, our patients’ care needs are paramount to us,” says McKenna. “We are optimistic that a negotiated contract that values our work can be achieved. Negotiations are scheduled for January 26 and 27, and ONA members will be at the table in solidarity, and expect the employer to come to the table with the goal of negotiating a contract.”