Simcoe County workers in Barrie, Ont., deliver strike vote

Talks break down over pay, wage parity: OPSEU

Simcoe County workers in Barrie, Ont., deliver strike vote
The OPSEU members in the social housing department have a wide variety of responsibilities, said the union. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Local 328 — which represents 22 superintendents and housing clerks in the Social Housing Department of Simcoe County in Ontario — handed their bargaining team a strike mandate on Jan. 5.

The workers have been without a contract since Dec. 31. Since then, negotiations have stalled on the question of remuneration and internal wage parity, according to bargaining team chair Mary Ellen Kelloway.

"While we agreed on a number of matters, such as benefits, we couldn't reach an agreement on wage hikes,” said Kelloway. “The employer is offering increases that are below the rate of inflation – we'd be taking a wage cut.”

The County of Simcoe owns more than 1,300 housing units for seniors, families and individuals. The OPSEU members in the social housing department have a wide variety of responsibilities, from information collecting, referrals, tenders and administrative support, to general maintenance and repairs, including electrical, plumbing and grounds maintenance, said the union.

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