South Bruce Peninsula Workers Picketing (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
The lockout of unionized parks, recreation and public works employees in South Bruce Peninsula is over.
The Town’s Chief Administrative Officer Bill Jones confirms a new collective agreement has been reached with members of Service Employees International Union Local 2.
The agreement will provide workers three per cent average annual wage increases over the new three-year contract.
The town locked out more than 20 workers on Sunday after the two sides failed to reach a new deal. Wages were the main sticking point. The town was offering below-inflation, two per cent annual increases. The union was seeking 4.5 per cent.
“This has been a very difficult week for everyone. I want to thank our workers for negotiating with us a 9% increase over three years,” says South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson. “We believe a fair deal has been struck and we are thrilled to see our staff return to work.”
Town officials say all employees are back on the job as of Friday and any impacted services will return to normal.
“There should be no noticeable delays to annual spring maintenance activities,” a release from the town explains.