Mediation talks aimed at finding a settlement between OPSEU and the Grey Bruce health unit over close to 20 grievances filed by the Union are underway this weekend.
The health unit recently issued layoff notices to nearly all of the workers who went on strike this year.
OPSEU representative Ted Loughead feels the notices are retribution for going on strike.
There were only 27 members in the bargaining unit and a few have left since the new contract was signed.
Loughead says the health unit only wants to keep some 6 workers and has issued the layoff notices to 17 staff members.
Those layoffs will hit just before Christmas.
The union says since returning to work, the employer has started to re-arrange the workplace and many of the program assistants are not doing the work they were before going on strike.
Loughead says many of the workers are relegated to opening mail, while a few of the OPSEU members are swamped with work.
The mediation is scheduled for all day today and Sunday if necessary.
If nothing is settled this weekend, Loughead says they’ll go to arbitration.
The Health Unit claims the move is part of the consolidation of two offices into one new building.
