Strike looms as Brockville mental health workers push for pay fix

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On March 16, Premier Doug Ford said more than 1,200 residents have accessed HART Hubs across Ontario, but the Brockville location has not opened

More than 125 workers represented by OPSEU Local 441 have filed for conciliation after contract talks with Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health broke down, raising the risk of a strike in Brockville.

Conciliation is required under the Ontario Labour Relations Act before a union can strike, and the dispute mainly centres on wages.

The union says some members earn 10 to 15 dollars less per hour than hospital staff, making it harder to recruit and retain workers as the Brockville HART Hub is planned.

Local MPP Steve Clark said he and MPP John Jordan delivered funding already set aside for the hub.

Clark said the project is still moving forward and concerns are unfounded.

On March 16, Premier Doug Ford said more than 1,200 residents have accessed HART Hubs across Ontario, but the Brockville location has not opened. A strike vote is expected soon.

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