The labour crisis at the Fort Frances Community Clinic was resolved last night (Wednesday, July 9), when a tentative agreement was reached.
“While we did not achieve everything we wanted,” said Danny Scheibli, CUPE national representative. “We certainly were able to narrow the gap between what our health care workers at the community clinic earn and what other health care workers in Fort Frances earn.
“We see this tentative agreement as a new beginning. We sincerely believe that we can now move forward with a new model of health care in a manner that reflects our on-going commitment to providing Fort Frances, (our community and home) with the very best in public, community based health care,” said Cathy Tucker, Unit Chair of CUPE 65.08.
“This is a good deal for our members, but more importantly, it is an agreement that will benefit the community, the clinic and the doctors,” said Danny Scheibli, CUPE national representative.
Both bargaining teams are recommending to their respective groups that they ratify the agreement. Ratification is expected to be complete by next week.
“Everyone on the bargaining teams worked long, hard hours to ensure an acceptable agreement,” concluded Scheibli. “One that would not interrupt the health care services
of our community,”