Clear Medical Imaging, Unifor back at the table as strike nears a month
Workers went on strike Oct. 25
Clear Medical Imaging and the union representing workers are now back at the table in talks, both parties confirmed Thursday, amid a strike that has stretched on for nearly a month.
Workers at Clear Medical Imaging, a local company offering ultrasounds and X-rays, have been on strike since Oct. 25. In an update earlier this month, both parties accused the other of walking away from the table.
Ken Durocher, president of Unifor Local 2458, told CBC Windsor that "talks are progressing."
"That's good news to have them in a meeting together, and if it takes all night to get a deal, that's the goal of the union to get that deal down."
WATCH: Why people in southwestern Ontario might have trouble getting an X-ray or ultrasound
The union represents about 130 striking workers, including X-ray and ultrasound technologists as well as clerical and administrative staff. The company has 11 locations across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
In a statement, the company said it was "pleased" that talks had resumed.
"We believe if both parties commit to working hard at the table, we will be able to achieve a deal that allows us to resume our critical health services for the patients of southwestern Ontario," the statement read.
The union has said that outstanding issues include wages, benefits, overtime and opposition to what they describe as outsourcing.
While workers have been on strike, other imaging clinics have extended their hours and appointments to keep up with what they say is a noticeable uptick in calls.
With files from Katerina Georgieva