North Bay dealing with labour strife, layoffs

Morning North5:43The impact of labour strife in North Bay

North Bay isn't known as a labour town but it now has nearly 400 people walking picket lines. We spoke with Mayor Al McDonald about the impact that's having on his city.

Nearly 400 people in North Bay will head to the picket line instead of work today.

About 170 professors at Nipissing University begin their third week on strike, while about 195 mechanics at Ontario Northland have been locked out since Wednesday.

And people in a city not as used to labour disputes as other parts of the north are wondering what the larger impact will be.

The president of the North Bay Chamber of Commerce told CBC News that retailers are starting to wonder if Christmas shopping lists will be shorter this year.

Jake Lacourse said says those on the picket lines are some of the city's best paid workers.

"It certainly sends a ripple effect into the community and into the economy. Money stays in people's pockets," he said.

"I was speaking to a jeweller yesterday and he said that 3/4 of his year is realized in the next month and a half."

Unlike strong union towns like Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay is not often seen as pro-labour.

"People have their minds set up one way or the other. It's always Liberal or Conservative," said Labour Council president Henri Giroux. He said he's always wondered why that is the case, considering the city is full of unionized government workers.

But Giroux noted he doesn't hear many people taking sides yet.

"People are just wondering what's happening with North Bay."

Giroux said that's partly because of the labour disputes, but also because of recent layoffs — 150 at the hospital and about 50 at the soon to be closed Bombardier plant.