Workers at one of the regions top insurance providers have entered their sixth week at the picket line as contract negotiations continue.
The strike, a first at Green Shield, started at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, March 1 after talks between Unifor Local 240 and the company broke off.
The union said 580 workers are seeking a commitment from Green Shield that it won't contract out jobs in I.T., the call centre, claims adjudication, and accounting.
"They [Green Shield] put out a media ad and created a website about truths and myths, so unfortunately we have been busy trying to get that dealt with rather than trying to put our minds to bargaining," said Unifor Local 240 president Jodi Nesbitt.
According to a open letter on Green Shield's website, the company is "disheartened by the extensive false statements Unifor leadership has been making publicly."
"The company has made insinuations that we're trying to negotiate outside of our scope and recognition clause, such as getting new members in, and that is simply not true," said Nesbitt.
Workers have temporarily been redeployed to other departments to cover positions until the two sides reach an agreement.
According to the company's website, employees are offered wages 30-40 per cent above the market average, automatic cost of living adjustments, and top-tier benefits.
"They said they grew to 600 positions with 10 per cent added to Windsor in the last six months," said Nesbitt. "The reality is, this has been an ongoing discussion with the employer about being under staff and it wasn't until going into bargaining that they finally did a hire."
Talks first started in mid-January on the latest contract, although the union opened a conversation with the company before that on the issue of contracting out work.
As far as current negotiations go, talks between both sides have been active.
"We are meeting virtually and waiting on the employer to come back with a counter offer," said Nesbitt.