TORONTO Workers at one of Torontos oldest community centres will take their campaign for a fair contract to the St. Jamestown Festival, on Wellesley Street between Parliament and Bleeker tomorrow.
St. Jamestown is just one of the neighbourhoods served by about 150 members of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4308. Negotiations with the employer broke off last month. The release of the conciliators no board report fixed a legal strike/lockout deadline of June 14.
Our members have voted 100% in favour of a strike if thats what its going to take to get a fair collective agreement, said Local 4308 President Kelly OSullivan. The employers offer of 1.5% just isnt enough when we have gone for years on end without a wage increase. Other outstanding issues include compensation for 80% of the members home support workers and part-timers who have no benefits, a say for daycare workers in room changes, and maintenance of staffing levels at the 60 Richmond Drop-In and Metropolitan Church Shelter.
Local 4308 members will hold an open house at 7 p.m. tonight at their Strike Averting Campaign Office, 204 Carlton Street (west of Parliament, east of Sherbourne) in advance of tomorrows St. Jamestown Festival.
Were taking the campaign to the community because that is where our roots are, said OSullivan. Many of us live as well as work in this community. We know that the programs, services and supports we provide matter to the adults, children and youth of this community.
The union is asking community members to contact the executive director and board of directors of Central Neighbourhood House to request that they return to the bargaining table with a fair offer in order to avert a strike or lockout. Another round of talks, with a provincial conciliator, is scheduled for June 13.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly OSullivan, President, CUPE Local 4308 - 416-929-2116
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications - 416-292-3999 - 416-616-6142 (cell)