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Mental Health Workers Set Strike Date

Wednesday, 12 September 2012 at 04:20

The clock is ticking towards a possible strike by Mental Health professionals in Oxford County. It's a last resort, should a mediation session on October 5th fail to produce a deal. CMHA Workers have been without a contract for more than 17-months. To make matters worse, they're facing a 2-year wage freeze from the provincial government. OPSEU Local 133 President Tisha Forster says they're still looking for some improvements to bring them in line with co-workers in other districts. "Our bargaining team has recognized we're going to be accepting 2-years of a deal with no money increases. We're trying to put enhancements in such as a dental plan, a wage increase, and a mileage compensation in the 3rd year of a 3-year deal." CMHA Oxford's New Executive Director, Mike McMahon is optimistic a deal will get done. "I think we have the opportunity on that day (Oct. 5th), to get this right and to make sure our workers feel respected and that we do a good job within the health care environment that we're operating in." If a deal fails to materialize on the 5th, the union will be in a strike position at 12:01AM on October 6th. There are 38 case workers in Oxford County that provide mental health services to seniors, homeless and those with chronic mental health and addiction issues. Forster says she "wouldn't even want to imagine" the potential impact of a mental healthcare strike in Oxford County.

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