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OTTAWA, Ont. – Mental health support workers with Salus Corporation in Ottawa, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), have voted 89 per cent in favour of strike action if mediated contract talks fail to reach a settlement with their employer.

We don’t want a strike, but our employer is demanding concessions and refusing to address our members’ concerns,” said Paul Boileau, chair of the CUPE 3942 negotiating committee. “We will do our very best to reach a settlement in conciliation talks, but it really depends on management’s willingness to back away from takeaway demands.” CUPE is also urging family members and client supporters to contact the new executive director of Salus Corporation, Margaret Singleton, to urge management to reach a negotiated settlement.

The 60 workers, who’ve been working without a contract since March 31st, offer support and counselling services, residential property management, community development, occupational therapy, psycho-education and other support services to over 350 clients in the Ottawa area, living with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Union negotiators will meet with management on September 7th and 8th to try and reach a settlement with the assistance of a conciliation officer from the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

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For further information, please contact:

Paul Boileau
CUPE Local 3942 Chair
Negotiating Committee
613-266-1031

Bev Smale
CUPE National Representative
613-237-0115 or 613-859-3137 (cell)

Robert Lamoureux
CUPE Communications
416-292-3999