NORTH BAY, Ont. – District of Nipissing social service workers have voted 85 per cent in favour of strike action if contract talks fail to reach a fair settlement.
“So far conciliation talks have failed to produce a settlement that’s fair to our members,” said CUPE national representative Monique Drapeau. “Our struggle is not about wages – we want to improve benefits, to bring them in line with what similar workers in surrounding areas enjoy.”
The 75 workers offer social services in the communities of West Nipissing, Temagami, Whitney, Mattawa, East Ferris, Chisholm and North Bay including Ontario works, emergency medical services, housing and childcare.
“Our members have very stressful jobs, and adequate vacation time is needed to deal with that stress, and to ensure our members can be there for the long term, helping residents in difficult situations,” said Drapeau.
Conciliation talks are set to resume November 13.
For further information, please contact:
Monique Drapeau
CUPE Communications North Bay Office
(705) 474-9765
Robert Lamoureux
CUPE Communications
(416) 292-3999