The members of CUPE 2132, who will be in a legal strike position on June 10, delivered a resounding “no” to the proposal that failed to adequately address job security and would have given a significantly larger wage increase to clinical staff. The offer also did not make any progress toward harmonizing sick time and benefits for lower-paid child care and administrative staff.
“Our members are demanding that their employer plays fair,” said CUPE National Representative Peter Paulekat. “They won’t accept two-tier treatment.”
The recent provincial budget included new funding for children’s mental health services, an area like most others in the community and social services sector that has been chronically underfunded.
“Employers like CDI, that operate multi-service agencies, have a responsibility to manage their budgets in a way that is fair to all workers,” Paulekat said. “And that includes fair play on everything from wages to sick time provisions and family benefits.”
Paulekat said he hopes CDI will try to reach a fair settlement at mediation scheduled for June 6. In the meantime, local members are beginning strike preparations. Approximately 100 workers provide child care, early intervention and family violence services at several Toronto locations, including Parkdale-High Park Ontario Early Years Centre; Parkdale, Holy Family, Maple Leaf, Annex, St. Francis Xavier, Wellesley and Cabbagetown Early Learning Centres, and Secord Community Centre.
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For more information, contact:
Peter Paulekat, CUPE National Representative, 416-292-3999
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications, 416-616-6142 (cell)