A new deal is now ratified between the County of Essex and its inside-outside workers represented by CUPE Local 2974.1 — and it's not exactly sitting well with striking county library workers part of the same union local.
Spokesperson Lori Wightman says it's disappointing to see the deal finalized as her fellow librarians remain on the picket lines fighting against a similar offer.
"We would have liked to have a little solidarity from our other group, we would have liked for them to join us; it gives us more numbers, it gives us a little more power," says Wightman. "But like I've said, our position is not changed."
The striking librarians aren't in favour of a sick time plan the county is looking to implement across the corporation.
The deal finalized on Wednesday night runs to March 31, 2020 and includes new short-term disability coverage through a third party insurer, a new plan providing up to nine sick days and 2% pay raises in each year of the deal in addition to two lump sum payments totaling $1,500 and $750 for full-time and part-time employees respectively.
Essex County Library Board Chair Richard Meloche says getting all the county staff on the same plan could mean roughly $500,000 in savings a year.
"We're trying to offer a similar contract across the whole of the county including the librarians, so what you see on the table is going to be very similar to what we're offering any other unit," says Meloche.
He doesn't think the county is being unfair in its offer.
"It's better than 95% of what's being offered out there," says Meloche. "Ninety-five percent of the taxpayers that are paying for this plan don't have a sick plan. I'd be grateful that I have a sick plan."
Wightman wasn't impressed with how county administration publicly highlighted certain aspects of the deal.
"It's ridiculous," says Wightman. "The whole posturing of revealing the whole agreement, I don't think that's usual and that was done because they think our members are not informed. Our members knew absolutely everything of what's on the table for them."
Meloche has a different view.
"I think it was good because I believe people want to know what's being offered. Everyone's curious, 'Is this a good plan or is this not a good plan," says Meloche. "I think it's a great plan. Right now if I'm sick I take a vacation day."
Under the current plan for county librarians, they're able to bank sick days. Meloche says the plan the county is offering would give the librarians some payout for the sick days already banked.
Meloche says there are no new talks planned to end the strike which has reached 132 days — the longest labour disruption the County of Essex has ever seen.