Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli told Premier Wynne today, "There is a sense of chaos and uncertainty in my riding due to job cuts and two work stoppages at major provincial employers".
He delivered a letter to Wynne asking her to take a personal role in resolving two ongoing provincial labour disruptions in the riding.
"I’ve spoken many times about the 350 front-line health care workers, including more than 100 nurses, which your government has fired at our hospital. As a result, workers, friends and families are out protesting the hospital cuts every single week.
"Meanwhile, your government has also fired 54 workers at Nipissing University, including 22 professors. Nipissing students have been without classes for nearly three weeks as a faculty strike wears on."
Fedeli says he's receiving email on a daily basis from Nipissing University students and parents concerned that the students may not be able to complete their semesters.
"At Ontario Northland, 43 workers have been fired, and now, Unifor members are in a lockout. Earlier this week, your Minister of Labour stated 'we’ve got the best mediators in the country' and 'if both groups work together at the table, an agreement can be reached'. Yet to date, three requests for mediation have been rejected by management."
In his letter, Fedeli adds that "Nipissing families, students, seniors, and businesses are hurting. I’m asking you to personally intercede and provide leadership and direction to assist in resolving these two contract impasses."
However, Renée Baker, Communications Manager at Ontario Northland says Fedeli's number is wrong.
"In the last year, 33 people selected retirement incentives, and we have 10 employees currently laid off in the Remanufacturing and Repair Centre," she said.
