Negotiations between the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) and Unifor Local 103 ground to a halt with the Crown agency electing to lock out 195 unionized employees from its rail car and bus refurbishment shops.
The North Bay-headquartered commission said a lockout, effective Nov. 12, is necessary in order to reach an agreement. The affected employees are its rail and bus mechanics, and those who conduct locomotive and rail car repair.
In presenting its final offers to Unifor on Nov. 6, the ONTC wants trade flexibility (allowing multiple trades to work together to improve shop efficiency, changes to the benefits plans, and changes or elimination of employment security provisions (collective agreements provide for 14 years of job security for senior employees).
Freight, motor coach, and passenger rail services will operate as scheduled.
“I am disappointed that an agreement has not been reached,” said Corina Moore, Ontario Northland president-CEO in a Nov. 11 statement. “Meaningful changes are required to improve the organization, meet our transformation goals and secure profitable business opportunities for our Remanufacturing and Repair Division. The previous collective agreements expired in 2013. It is time to conclude our negotiations and focus on improving the organization.”
