The County of Simcoe and the union representing hundreds of its office, technical and clerical workers, as well as social and children’s services workers, have come to a tentative agreement in advance of potential strike or lockout action that was set to begin Sunday.
The two sides had previously reached a tentative agreement on Aug. 2, but an overwhelming majority — 90 per cent — of the members voted to reject the offer during a ratification vote that took place Aug. 6, according to the union’s website.
An update on the county’s website shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday noted the two sides met today and the membership will be voting on the offer the evening of Aug. 22.
Both parties have agreed there will be no strike or lockout prior to the ratification vote, it read, which means services will continue without interruption next week.
“We said from the beginning that this is about fairness for our members, and we believe this tentative agreement takes into account the valuable work and important services we provide to residents of Simcoe County,” CUPE Local 5820 president Wendy Monsinger said in a news release. “I’d like to thank the members of the public for their support in helping us reach this agreement.”
The agreement is subject to ratification by both the membership of CUPE Local 5820 and the County of Simcoe.
Employees have said they are looking for “fair wages that are in line with inflation and the increasing cost of living,” according to a statement on the union’s website.
No further information or comment was available from county representatives, and a call to the union was not answered by the time this story was published.
