HAMILTON Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5167, representing workers at the city-owned Wentworth Lodge, says Hamilton City Council should be congratulated for doing the right thing.
Council approved a recommendation last night to keep the home for the aged, which has served the community for more than 90 years, in public hands.
This is an important victory for the people who live at Wentworth Lodge and for the people who work there, said CUPE 5167 President Gus Oliveira. Together, they are a family a fact that was clearly recognized by council.
Oliveira had special thanks for councillors who defended the unionized staff, who had been accused of earning too much in an industry where wages are notoriously low.
We are pleased that there are people on council who recognize the value of the work done by our members at both Wentworth and Macassa Lodges, said Oliveira. And, if it hadnt been for these dedicated staff who collected more than 8,500 signatures from the public, councils decision might have been very different.
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For more information, contact:
Gus Oliveira, President CUPE 5167 - 905-522-0917
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications - 416-292-3999