Troubled Black River-Matheson Township, striking workers reach tentative deal
CTV
Striking Black River-Matheson workers who have been off the job for more than 200 days have reached a tentative agreement with the town.
Striking Black River-Matheson workers who have been off the job for more than 200 days – almost seven months – have reached a tentative agreement with the town.
Both the Township of Black River-Matheson and CUPE Local 1490 released announcements late Friday night about the tentative deal to end the labour dispute, which started on Oct. 15, 2023.
The chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board helped the parties reached the settlement through a mediation process.
Last month, the two sides had reached a deal in principle, but the bargaining talks broke down over union stipulations that there would be no reprisals for what happened during the strike once back on the job along with issues with the return to work protocol.
"Both parties have agreed there will be no reprisals against any bargaining unit employee for alleged conduct during the labour dispute," said CUPE officials in the news release.
"The mutually agreed-upon goal is to concentrate on providing good services to the community in a positive work setting. The township and the workers together are committed to achieving this goal."