The Grey Bruce Health Unit’s Board of Health is ready to head back to the bargaining table.
The board passed a motion today supporting the negotiating committee, Medical Officer of Health Doctor Hazel Lynn, the management team and staff during the OPSEU Local 276 job action.
Board Chair, Larry Kraemer says the board also looks forward to OPSEU returning to the negotiation table.
He says its up to them to return to the table, adding the board is not going to negotiate with them in a ‘he said she said’ public manner.
Linda Owens, a spokesperson for the workers, says she is happy to see the board wanting OPSEU back at the negogiating table, but feels the ball is in their court.
Owens says if there is no new offer, what is there to negogiate.
She says the health unit’s last offer was totally unacceptable and does not want to return to the table if the same figures are presented.
Owens says they are among the lowest paid health unit workers in Ontario, adding the numbers used by management are outdated and inaccurate.
Kraemer says the board has also done its homework, adding if OPSEU has figures they want to present, then they can do it at the bargaining table.
The 27 employees have been on strike since May 1st to back demands for higher wages.
OPSEU is also calling for an investigation into the finances of the Grey Bruce Health Unit.
The union has complained during the strike about the number of managers at the health unit and the amount of money they make.
