CMHA

Canadian Mental Health Association workers in northeastern Ontario, represented by OPSEU Local 631, reached a tentative contract

Wednesday evening less than six hours before they would have been in a legal strike position.

Details of the tentative contract will be withheld pending the outcome of a ratification vote scheduled for April 8. Issues of wage parity and job security were at the heart of the dispute.

OPSEU represents more than 100 CMHA workers in Timmins and other centres in northeastern Ontario, including Matheson, Kirkland Lake and Englehart. They include frontline workers, nurses and support staff.

“I applaud members of Local 631 and their bargaining team for reaching a deal before the strike deadline,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “Mental health workers are key health care providers in all communities and it’s satisfying to know their clients in the northeast will continue to receive the professional services our members provide.”

The worker’s previous contract expired on Aug. 31, 2013. The two sides have been in bargaining since March, 2014.