TorontoIn the last provincial budget, the Tory government committed an additional $30 million in funding province-wide to address the low wages paid to workers employed by Associations for Community Living (ACLs). But so far, none of the money has filtered down to the Fort Frances and District Association for Community Living, money needed so that a lengthy labour dispute can be resolved.
The principle issues in this strike are wages and benefits. The scenario being played out in Fort Frances is exactly what consultants told the government would happen unless there was more money to improve the low wages paid to workers in the sector, says Brian OKeefe the Ontario secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
A rally in support of the workers, members of CUPE Local 65, will be held today (Thursday, August 23) at 4 p.m. at 340 Scott Street in Fort Frances. OKeefe, along with NDP Leader Howard Hampton, will speak at the rally.
The workers have been without a contract for more than a year and are asking for a modest wage increase and improvements to pension benefits.
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For more information please contact:
Brian OKeefe, CUPE Ontario Secretary-Treasurer
(416) 579-7414
Stella Yeadon, CUPE Communications
(416) 578-8774