Workers call on province to end labour strife in North Bay

“Negotiate don’t dictate”, “No more cuts” and “Fair pay for fair say” were the messages delivered by dozens of people rallying outside MPP Vic Fedeli’s office this morning (Friday).

With 195 workers at Ontario Northland locked out, the faculty strike ongoing at Nipissing University and recent job cuts at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, North Bay and District Labour Council President Henri Giroux says the Solidarity Rally was held to deliver a message to the province and Premier Kathleen Wynne.

MPP Vic Fedeli spoke to the crowd and despite a short outburst from one person about former PC Leader Tim Hudak’s pledge to cut 100,000 public sector jobs, Fedeli told the workers his record shows he’s fighting for North Bay and Nipissing.

Unifor National Rail Director Brian Stevens says, “partisan politics are all fun and games at Queen’s Park, but this is serious.”

Union officials are also planning a mass rally November 30th at Lee Park and Queen’s Park in Toronto.