Says CUPE Local 3223 President Rob Cull, “the agency had made some insignificant changes to their last offer and asked the union to take it back to the members for a vote. When our members saw the offer they didnt even vote on it, they were so upset they told us to begin strike action.”
There are several outstanding issues, the major one being language to deal with increased caseloads for CAS workers. Contracting out, job security language and wages are also still on the table.
“This agency is asking 120 women and men to protect the most vulnerable children in Durham, but theyre not prepared to give us the proper tools to do that. Increased caseloads are like tying our hands behind our backs and asking us to try and do our jobs,” says the CUPE President.
“This is Mike Harriss Ontario who are they trying to kid,” adds Cull.
On the issue of wages, ironically, Durham CAS Executive Director was recently named to the $100,000 club, and received a tidy 9% pay hike this year.
One Durham CAS Board member has already resigned over the agencys position with its employees.
For information:
Rob Cull, President, CUPE Local 3223
(905) 987-1148 (h)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep.
(416) 292-3999 (o)
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