Sudbury volunteer firefighters to create new contract

Greater Sudburys volunteer firefighters are in the midst of their first contract talks with the city after voting to unionize earlier this year.

The300 part-time firefighters, who mostly work in the outlying areas of the city joined the Christian Labour Association of Canada.

A union spokesperson said talks are on-going with the city, and added working on a new contract is never easy.

Youve got to start from scratch, Ian DeWaard said.Every jot, every title, every comma has to be negotiated as you work out language to get around the parties agreements on the main issues.

He wouldnt go into details on those issues, but did say most of them involve the day-to-day operations of fire protection in Greater Sudbury.

DeWaard said he doesnt think sorting out a new contract will dramatically change the work of Sudburys volunteer firefighters.

But what it does dois provide a more constructive forum in which they are able to gauge the decision makers down at city hall.

Talks between the union and the city are going well, DeWaard said.

He expects a deal to be struck in coming weeks.