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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A 15-day strike by municipal workers in Fort Smith is over.

Now that a strike by municipal workers in Fort Smith has come to an end, Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers, can put away the placards, like this one he sported on the first day of the walkout on July 18. - NNSL file photo

The striking employees voted to ratify a new three-year collective agreement on Aug. 1.

Approximately 50 workers walked off the job on July 18 and were set to return to work on Aug. 2.

In the new deal, the union was successful in achieving its no contracting out language. Contracting out was the main issue in the strike.

"The town's acceptance of our 'no contracting out' language within the collective agreement was the critical factor that brought us to a deal," said Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers. "Our members look forward to a new and positive relationship and are happy to be returning to their work. It is what we wanted all along."

Mayor Janie Hobart said she is glad the strike is over and the town can resume normal operations.

She said the town agreed to the union's no contracting out language with a notwithstanding clause that allows for consultation, because there may be times when contracting out is a requirement.

The agreement describes those times as exceptional circumstances. "The town can still contract out, even in non-emergency situations, so long as there is not a layoff of an employee," Hobart said.

Parsons noted the town does have language in the new contract on the possibility of contracting out in exceptional circumstances, but only if the union agrees.

"There are significant limitations, but it does acknowledge in the agreement that under exceptional circumstances the employer can and is required to engage in consultation with the union and has to come to a mutually accepted agreement and, if not, the employer is not able to proceed," he said.

Hobart said she doesn't know if things will quickly get back to normal between the town and the returning workers.

When asked about possible frayed nerves and bad feelings, she said she thinks there is the potential for that.

"I think it's going to be a process. It's not going to be one single thing," she said of getting back to normal, saying it will involve meeting with employees and working forward. "I don't think it will be an overnight thing."

In addition to the no contracting out language, the two sides agreed to wage and northern allowance annual increases of 2.5 per cent in each of the first two years of the contract and two per cent in the third year. The contract is retroactive to the beginning of this year.

Other highlights include improvements to leave provisions, a new gender-neutral job classification plan that will be developed during the life of the agreement, and new seniority rights that will apply to all postings.

The breakthrough in the strike came at a meeting of negotiating teams on July 31. The employer had proposed the meeting after the union had earlier rejected the town's proposal of binding arbitration to settle the strike.

The council ratified the new collective agreement on the evening of July 31. The vote was four to one in favour with deputy mayor Brenda Johnson casting the opposing vote.

Parsons declined to reveal the percentage in support for the new contract in the workers' ratification vote, but noted the vote was attended by more than two-thirds of the strikers.

"It was overwhelmingly in support of the bargaining team's recommendation to accept," he said of the vote.

Parsons said it is unfortunate it took so long to settle the strike.

"I would prefer that we not have to engage in strike action," he said. "It's something we do as a last resort in the negotiation process."

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