Tentative agreement reached in School of Medicine strike

NEWS RELEASES

NORTHERN ONTARIO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEES UNION (OPSEU)

****************************** Tentative agreement reached between NOSM and OPSEU staff unit

Talks held this week in Sudbury between the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and the school's Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Staff Unit have resulted in a tentative settlement of a first collective agreement between the parties.

The deal is subject to ratification by OPSEU staff unit’s members, and approval by NOSM’s Board of Directors.

Further details will be available at that time.

The approximately 150 members included in the school’s OPSEU staff unit represent employees in office, clerical, administrative, technical and service positions.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine remains committed to reaching a first collective agreement with the OPSEU staff unit which fairly reflects the unique nature of NOSM and its workforce.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is committed to the education of high quality physicians and health professionals, and to international recognition as a leader in distributed, learning-centred, community-engaged education and research.

****************************** Tentative deal reached in NOSM strike

SUDBURY, - A tentative agreement has been reached between the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and more than 150 striking office, administrative and technical staff represented by OPSEU Local 677.

"I extend my congratulations to our bargaining team and the strong support they received from our members on the picket line," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, who personally visited the picket line on three occasions during the strike which started Aug. 16. "The team pushed the employer very hard and now they understood our members weren't going to buckle under."

Tyler England, chair of the bargaining team for Local 677, said union officials are currently summarizing details of the tentative agreement and members will vote on the deal this Thursday.

Picket lines will remain in place at NOSM campuses at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Laurentian University in Sudbury until Thursday's vote.

NOSM also operates satellite campuses in Sault Ste Marie and Timmins.

Issues at the bargaining table included wage and benefit improvements, provisions around contracting out, maternity and sick leave provisions.

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