March of Dimes workers reach agreement and avert lockout

Tentative contract deal reached through mediation

The Ontario March of Dimes and its 20 employees in Hamilton, members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 262, have reached a tentative contract deal through mediation and prevented a lockout.

The contract between the workers and their employer expired June 30, 2011. The March of Dimes employees provide in-home assisted living services to people with disabilities.

“It was very tough bargaining but as the midnight deadline approached it became apparent that a deal was achievable,” Helen Cassidy, bargaining team chair for Local 262, said in a press release.

If the two sides failed to come to an agreement, management could have locked out workers at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

Details of the agreement have not been released, due to a ratification vote set for Aug. 20.

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