Workers at Community Living Association Lanark, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), are urging the board of directors of the agency to get involved to reach a fair deal that will avert a strike set to start at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4.
“As far as we know, management did not review our last proposal with the board before breaking off bargaining talks yesterday,” said Karen Bowes, CUPE 1521-02 unit chair. “The board is entitled to know our no-cost proposal to resolve the pension issue, so they can make an informed decision to achieve a fair deal that will prevent a strike.”
The lack of a pension, concession demands by the agency and wages are the outstanding issues that could lead to a strike that will hurt people with intellectual disabilities. While other Association of Community Living (ACL) agencies across the province have achieved fair settlements with their workers, Community Living Association Lanark continues to prevent a fair deal by refusing to have meaningful discussions on starting a pension plan that’s available to other ACL workers across the province.
“We’ve been more than flexible to address issues raised by management,” said Bowes. “But it became clear that management was not interested in settling a deal. They were focused on saying no to everything that we offered to achieve a settlement.”
“That’s why we’re urging the board to get involved so they are fully informed of the situation before it’s too late to stop a strike,” continued Bowes. “Otherwise we will end up with a strike that will hurt the people we help, the agency and our community.”
Karen Bowes, CUPE 1521-02 Unit Chair, 613-264-7890
Doreen Beath, CUPE National Representative, 613-552-6826
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999