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Firefly Northwest reaches tentative contract agreement

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said a strike vote taken by the employees earlier this month likely set the stage for a quick settlement.

logo for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)Toronto (24 Sept. 2014) — Workers at Firefly Northwest reached a tentative collective agreement with their employer on September 23.

Tentative agreement reached after drawn-out negotiations for OPSEU/NUPGE members at Firefly Northwest

No details of the settlement were released pending the results of a ratification vote that is scheduled for October. Firefly Northwest employs about 150 unionized workers.

“With the assistance of a conciliator we were able to come to an agreement because both sides were committed to reaching one,” said Amy Stamp, a member of the bargaining team that is represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 702.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said a strike vote taken by the employees earlier this month likely set the stage for a quick settlement.

“Our members indicated by their support for possible strike action that they wanted to see progress at the table and today’s agreement was an outcome of that. I congratulate both sides for reaching a tentative contract deal.”

Firefly Northwest is a non-for-profit, charitable multi-service agency providing physical, emotional, developmental and community services for children, youth, adults and their families. OPSEU/NUPGE members at Firefly Northwest include mental health counsellors, child care workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language pathologists, clerical and support staff, among others categories. They work in eight communities across northwestern Ontario, including Kenora, Dryden, Ear Falls, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Atikokan and Fort Frances.

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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE