After a challenging eight-week strike, employees at Clear Medical Imaging are set to return to their respective roles starting Monday, Dec. 20. This development follows a prolonged three-month negotiation process that saw no successful resolution with a provincial conciliation officer. Instead, the union and the employer opted for binding arbitration. The strike involved 130 workers from Unifor Local 2458, which represents individuals across 11 locations in Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh, Essex, and Chatham. These workers, which include X-ray, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine technologists, along with clerical and administrative staff, rejected a forced vote with an overwhelming 96 percent majority, underscoring their strong disapproval of the proposed measures.
Ken Durocher, President of Local 2458, mentioned that only a select group of employees would initially resume work to manage the backlog of patients and set the stage for a full operational restart on January 2. The strike, which began on October 25, led some employees to resign and seek employment in hospitals or other sectors, causing immediate challenges for clinic operations. Central to the dispute were critical issues such as wages, benefits, mandatory overtime, job security, and the outsourcing of services. Although Durocher expressed relief that employees are returning to work, he was candid about the less-than-ideal resolution and his hope for a favorable collective agreement through arbitration.
Clear Medical Imaging’s CEO, Michael Reinkober, chose not to comment directly, referring instead to the company’s website for statements. The decision to pursue arbitration demonstrates both the union’s and company’s commitment to resolving the labor dispute and restoring service normalcy for their clients. The outcome, though far from perfect, aims to address the immediate needs of both the company and its employees while laying the groundwork for a future where fair worker conditions are assured. This step not only resolves the current standoff but also underscores the importance of dialogue and compromise in overcoming significant labor conflicts.
