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After being on strike since July 4th, the 34 members of CUPE 72 are finally going back to work. The North Bay Hydro workers voted Friday to accept a recommended settlement.
The deal gives the workers raises of 3, 2.5 and 2.5 per cent over a three-year contract. It also maintains post-retirement benefits for all current employees, which was a key strike issue.
“We had a difficult time with this employer,” says Ken Hull, the local’s President. “We had to mount an intensive, election-style public relations campaign to move this employer – and it still took over three months.”
“We wish to thank the Ontario Federation of Labour and President Wayne Samuelson for putting pressure on local politicians with a threatened economic boycott against North Bay,” says CUPE representative Jo-Ann Breton. “That may have been the last straw for councilors, who until this past week, refused to get involved and end the dispute.”