OTTAWA – Representatives bargaining for CUPE 3942 filed for conciliation July 21, after the employer, Ottawa Salus Housing Corporation, refused to consider non-monetary issues brought forward by the Union. Salus Corporation is the largest housing and community support agency in the region serving 350 clients who suffer from chronic mental illness.
CUPE 3942, which represents 60 full-time case workers, community development and maintenance workers, has been unable to get the employer to address its concerns, including staffing levels, and job security in the face of the looming impact of the establishment of local health integration networks, or LHINs.
“The employer isn’t willing to discuss monetary issues,” said Paul Boileau, a member of the negotiating committee. “Despite a wage scale lower than other Ottawa mental health agencies, we have been told there is just 1.5% for wage and pay equity requirements.” After eight weeks of unsuccessful attempts to make progress through bargaining, CUPE is asking for a conciliator to end the stalemate.
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Paul Boileau
CUPE Local 3942
Negotiating Committee
613-266-1031
Bev Smale
CUPE National
Representative
613-237-0115
613-859-3137