HAMILTON, Ont. – Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton management must put an end to a two-tiered employment practice affecting 60 clerical workers who provide administrative support services, warns the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The workers are trying to achieve a new collective agreement that will offer the same benefits enjoyed by other CAS workers.
“It’s an issue of fairness and respect,” said Cheri Dobbs, CUPE national representative. “Clerical staff, just like child protection workers, are here to help clients who need the services of the agency – there is no reason why management should treat them differently than their colleagues. After all, they are on the same team, working for the same employer, serving the same clients.”
The workers are fighting management’s current practice of offering inferior benefits to clerical employees, compared to other staff at the agency. The workers’ last contract expired on March 31, 2006. Conciliation talks are scheduled for September 21st.
“It is unacceptable for management to treat clerical staff as second class citizens,” said Dobbs. “Management must come to conciliation willing to discuss the outstanding two-tiered employment issues – otherwise our members will have to take labour action that will be detrimental to clients and the agency.”
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For further information, please contact:
Cheri Dobbs
CUPE National Representative
905-575-5411
James Chai
CUPE Communications
416-292-3999