NOSM Negotiations with OPSEU Staff Unit Impacted by Public Sector Compensation Restraints

Like the rest of the broader public sector, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is impacted by recent Ontario government legislation and policy statements regarding compensation restraints for employees.

With regard to bargaining unit employees, the government’s policy statement lays out a clear expectation that “new collective agreements will be of at least two years duration and provide no net increase in compensation for at least two years.” The fiscal plan provides no funding to NOSM for incremental compensation increases for new collective agreements. This is particularly challenging for NOSM as it manages a structural deficit.

Statements made publicly by the President of OPSEU Local 677, the President of the OPSEU Staff Unit Bargaining Team, and a OPSEU staff representative have indicated the OPSEU Staff Unit is prepared to accept status quo benefits and wages; however, these statements are inconsistent with what the Staff Unit has proposed at the bargaining table.

NOSM is committed to maintaining a competitive compensation program to retain and attract staff and faculty employees that is fair and equitable. Information about employee wages, entitlements, and the working environment at NOSM is posted on the School’s website at www.nosm.ca.

Since August 9, 2010, the Ontario government has been consulting with the leaders of several unions, including OPSEU’s President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, to address how the government’s policy statement of “no net increase in compensation for at least two years” impacts the achievement of collective bargaining outcomes. OPSEU has declined NOSM’s requests to pause collective bargaining while these consultations take place.

NOSM remains committed to reaching a first collective agreement with the OPSEU Staff Unit which fairly reflects the unique nature of NOSM and its workforce.