UPDATED - Sept. 20 at 12:55 p.m.

Members of OPSEU Local 677 have moved their picket lines from the entrances to Laurentian University off of Ramsey Lake Road and South Bay Road to the entrance to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) — at least for today (Sept. 20).

The picket lines, which have been manned by clerical, administrative and technical NOSM workers since they went on strike Aug. 16, have caused traffic tie-ups along Ramsey Lake Road.

The union's bargaining team chair, Tyler England, said the union decided to change its picketing strategy to provide information directly to those entering and exiting the medical school building. He said they also heard the medical school has hired at least one replacement worker.

“Every day we look at the situation and determine how we're putting our information out there,” England said.

“It would be difficult to say at this time what will happen tomorrow. We're not sure at this point if it's a permanent change or not. I really can't comment on that.”

England denies the decision to change the location of the picket line Sept. 20 was due to public pressure about traffic jams on Ramsey Lake Road.

He also said the issue was not discussed during the most recent set of mediated talks between the two parties, which took place last week and broke off Sept. 17.

So far, the picketers have had a positive response to moving their picket line, he said.

“A lot of (Laurentian students) have come down and thanked us for what we're doing today,” he said. “As well, it's been great being able to speak with the medical students as they've been coming through, and being able to give them the information directly.”

A press release put out by NOSM last week said the medical school's bargaining team was prepared to talk through the weekend, but OPSEU's bargaining team left the talks at around 4 p.m. Sept. 17.

“Although considerable progress was made this week, the parties were unable to resolve all outstanding matters and reach a first collective agreement,” the press release from NOSM stated.

“NOSM has proposed that the two sides resume bargaining again September 30 and October 1, 2010, and is awaiting response from the OPSEU Staff Unit.”

England said the union is looking at the negotiation dates proposed by NOSM. However, when talks broke off last week, the union told NOSM there's no point in further talks “until (NOSM) starts negotiating,” he said.

Despite this assertion, England said some progress was made during the latest round of bargaining.

“That's proof that the support we're getting from the public and the pressure from withdrawing our services from the school has helped,” he said.

“We're hoping that with continued pressure, we'll end up with an agreement.”