BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Striking Matheson workers who have been off the job for nearly seven months have reached a tentative deal with the township.
The Township of Black River-Matheson and CUPE Local 1490 each released announcements late last night (May 3) about the tentative agreement to end the hostile labour dispute, which started in October.
The Ontario Labour Relations Board chair helped the parties reach the deal during mediation. The union is recommending that the membership accept the agreement, which would see the staff return to work on May 15.
Last month, the two sides appeared to be close to a deal, but the bargaining broke down over the return to work protocol and the workers wanting stipulations that there would be no reprisals for what happened during the strike once back on the job.
"Both parties have agreed there will be no reprisals against any bargaining unit employee for alleged conduct during the labour dispute," reads the CUPE 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."
The bargaining team for the township was led by CAO Chris Wray and clerk Cassandra Child, who have signed off on the deal on behalf of the township. The CUPE 1490 bargaining team bringing back the agreement to its membership includes local president Serge Bouchard, Tom Pullen and Brendon Nugent.
The ongoing labour dispute started in October 2023 when the township locked out 14 CUPE members. The members went on strike when the township ended the lockout in January.
This tentative agreement comes days after Matheson council members were kicked out of office.
On Monday, Minister of Municipal Affairs Paul Calandra dissolved the sitting council.
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Using a section of the Municipal Act that hasn't been exercised since it took effect in the early 2000s, Calandra vacated all of the council seats after it failed to meet quorum for 60 days. With a seven-person council, at least four members must attend for quorum.
A provincial bureaucrat — the ministry's manager of local government and housing — has been appointed to make any decisions that council would make. They must report to Calandra on the 15th and 30th of each month. The minister will post all reports from the appointee on the township’s website.
The byelection will be held on Aug. 12, with nominations open from June 1 to 2 p.m. on June 28.
