Windsor

After weeks of being on strike, there's a tentative deal between Jamieson Labs and Unifor

After several weeks of negotiations, Unifor and Jamieson Laboratories in Windsor, Ont., have reached a tentative agreement. The 317 members of Local 195 have been on strike since Feb. 1.

317 members of Local 195 on strike since Feb. 1

Striking workers on a picket line during winter weather.
Unifor Local 195 members endure winter weather on the picket line at Jamieson Laboratories in Windsor, Ont., earlier this month. The company and the union have reached a tentative deal. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

After several weeks of negotiations, Unifor and Jamieson Laboratories in Windsor, Ont., have reached a tentative agreement, according to the union.

The 317 Local 195 members, who are involved in the manufacturing and packaging of health supplements at the company's 4025 Rhodes Dr. facility, have been on strike since Feb.1.

A union leader being interviewed via Zoom.
Unifor Local 195 president Emile Nabbout speaks with CBC Windsor via Zoom. (CBC News)

Unifor Local 195 president Emile Nabbout told CBC News that the tentative agreement was reached after several approaches to Jamieson. 

"Last week we made another attempt and we continue an open dialogue with the company that resulted today in a tentative agreement," Nabbout said. "We feel comfortable that we can bring it back to the membership and get it ratified."

Unifor says members' wages and workload were concerns in the bargaining process.

"Through this challenging economy the worker, who has been producing for Jamieson, a well-known brand, expects that they should be rewarded," he added. 

No details will be released until the ratification meeting scheduled for this Sunday, the union said.

The tentative agreement is endorsed by the national union and the Local 195 bargaining committee.