SAULT STE. MARIE Community Living Algoma management today locked out members of Local 1880 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing 400 Community Living Algoma workers, despite the union’s offer to remain on the job past the legal lockout/strike deadline.
“This employer has put residents in jeopardy by yanking us out of the workplace and bringing in scabs despite our show of good will,” says Matthew Cavaliere, CUPE 1880 negotiator. “After our members voted against the employer’s offer yesterday, we offered to return to the table to try and address areas of concern yet management saw fit to lock us out instead, setting the stage for a long disruption that will hurt the people we care for.”
“These workers are not asking for the moon,” says CUPE National Representative Trish Andrews. “They only want a modest wage increase after years of virtually no increases at all, and basic protection against layoffs. It’s a shame the employer chose to fight it’s own workers instead of standing up to the provincial government and demanding adequate funding.”
“We did everything imaginable to reach an agreement, and we were willing to continue to negotiate,” says Cavaliere. “It now looks like management was preparing for a lockout all along. Our clients deserve better, and we will ask parents and the community to help us put pressure on the employer to get back to the table. Now we will hold our heads up high as we walk the picket line, knowing our fight is as much about the future quality of services as it is about fair wages for ACL workers.”
CUPE represents 400 workers at Community Living Algoma, serving communities throughout the district. These support workers, cooks, cleaners, social workers, supportive living, supportive housing, life skills workers and counsellors are dedicated professionals, offering round-the-clock care and support services to residents and clients with exceptional needs, many with severe physical and behavioural difficulties.
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For further information, please contact:
Trish Andrews, CUPE National Representative
705-949-6221
Matthew Cavaliere, Local 1880 Bargaining Cttee
705-759-6914
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999
“This employer has put residents in jeopardy by yanking us out of the workplace and bringing in scabs despite our show of good will,” says Matthew Cavaliere, CUPE 1880 negotiator. “After our members voted against the employer’s offer yesterday, we offered to return to the table to try and address areas of concern yet management saw fit to lock us out instead, setting the stage for a long disruption that will hurt the people we care for.”
“These workers are not asking for the moon,” says CUPE National Representative Trish Andrews. “They only want a modest wage increase after years of virtually no increases at all, and basic protection against layoffs. It’s a shame the employer chose to fight it’s own workers instead of standing up to the provincial government and demanding adequate funding.”
“We did everything imaginable to reach an agreement, and we were willing to continue to negotiate,” says Cavaliere. “It now looks like management was preparing for a lockout all along. Our clients deserve better, and we will ask parents and the community to help us put pressure on the employer to get back to the table. Now we will hold our heads up high as we walk the picket line, knowing our fight is as much about the future quality of services as it is about fair wages for ACL workers.”
CUPE represents 400 workers at Community Living Algoma, serving communities throughout the district. These support workers, cooks, cleaners, social workers, supportive living, supportive housing, life skills workers and counsellors are dedicated professionals, offering round-the-clock care and support services to residents and clients with exceptional needs, many with severe physical and behavioural difficulties.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Trish Andrews, CUPE National Representative
705-949-6221
Matthew Cavaliere, Local 1880 Bargaining Cttee
705-759-6914
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999