Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 30, 2007

FORT SMITH - Bosco Homes has requested another meeting with the union representing workers at Fort Smith's Trailcross Treatment Centre.

The meeting will be held Aug. 1 with the assistance of a federal conciliator.

Previous talks aimed at reaching a new contract broke down July 10.

Seventeen full-time and part-time counsellors and support workers are members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)/Union of Northern Workers Local 2.

Trailcross accommodates nine children, aged 13-16, with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

On Friday, the union served strike notice on Bosco Homes. It informed the employer that a walkout could happen. on Aug. 7.

"Unless there are some extraordinary circumstances, I believe that will be the day job action will start," said Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, regional executive vice-president for PSAC North.

G.R. (Gus) Rozycki, the executive director/CEO of Bosco Homes, said Trailcross would not be able to remain open in the event of a strike.

"If the employees walk, the kids would have to be somewhere else," he said.

The Department of Health and Social Services would be responsible for finding alternative accommodations.

"We do have a plan in place should a labour dispute happen," said Damien Healy, the communications manager with the department.

The main issue in the contract talks is wages.

Des Lauriers said he hopes a strike can be avoided, adding be believes the GNWT should use whatever influence it has to pressure Bosco Homes to reach an agreement with the workers.