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Espanola – Community Living Espanola front line staff, who voted to ratify a new collective agreement yesterday, say they are happy to be returning to work on Sunday, and will focus on rebuilding diminished services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The contract ratification ends a bitter nine-week strike for the 38 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2462 who work as vocational and residential counsellors at Community Living Espanola.

The employer removed concessions around overtime and seniority that presented one of the biggest obstacles to securing a settlement. The new two-year contract, which includes a 4 per cent wage increase, was approved by 75 per cent of those CUPE 2462 members who voted.

CUPE 2462 members are happy to be returning to work because they want to begin rebuilding services for the individuals they provide support to. They are also determined to improve the relationship with the employer,” says CUPE national staff representative Michelle Loiselle.

Throughout the labour dispute, support for CUPE 2462 from the Espanola community was overwhelming, says Loiselle. “The members are also grateful for the tremendous outpouring of donations from CUPE members across the province and the Espanola and Sudbury labour community.”

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Loiselle
CUPE National Representative
(705) 561-9076

Stella Yeadon
CUPE Communications
(416) 578-8774