A potential strike by Town of Amherstburg employees has been averted.
55 inside and outside workers represented by the IBEW local 636 were presented the town's final offer tonight. IBEW Business Representative Brian Manninger says the four-year contract offer was accepted by the membership just hours before a union-imposed strike deadline of 12:01 Tuesday morning.
The deadline was originally last week, but was moved to Tuesday after a marathon bargaining session that resulted in the town’s final offer.
Amherstburg CAO John Miceli says the deal includes moderate wage increases and language changes. Miceli says it also includes the addition of a few new full-time positions.
“It’s reflective of what’s going on in a lot of the public sector over the past number of years,” Miceli said after learning the offer was accepted. “A lot of the public sector, over the past number of years has been experiencing no increases, and I would suggest our contract now is not out of line.”
Miceli says workers will receive a 500-dollar bonus in the first and second years of the contract. A half-per cent wage increase will kick in on the second year. A one per cent increase will be applied in years three and four of the deal.
Miceli says the deal will cost the town an additional $160-thousand over the duration of the contract. He says it will provide a lot of certainty at budget time for the foreseeable future.
“It’s fantastic from a planning perspective,” he said.
Town mayor Aldo DiCarlo says he's happy it's resolved.
“I can't even tell you how good I feel about that,” said DiCarlo after tonight’s council meeting. “From where I come from, it's always that tough balance about trying to balance both sides.”
“I think admin did a great job and I think the union recognized quite well the town's situation and I think council did as well throughout the whole process. This is something that I think again, is going to move the town forward," said DiCarlo.
The Town is working to rein in debt levels, which peaked at $44-million under the previous administration. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs conducted a financial management review of Amherstburg’s books in 20-14. An independent auditing firm also made dozens of recommendations to help the town out of its financial woes.
Manninger wouldn’t comment further on what percentage of members voted in favour of the contract.
