Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

HAMILTON, Ont. – Hamilton Children’s Aid Society workers are seeking equal pay for equal work from their employer, as both parties enter conciliation talks on November 21st. The 160 child protection workers are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

Our members are united to achieve a fair contract that includes equality for all workers,” said Brent McQuestion, president of CUPE 3042. “It is unacceptable for management to pay one group of workers a lower rate, when we all have similar levels of responsibility and perform essentially the same work.”

Foster care support workers are paid thousands of dollars less than child and youth workers at the society for providing similar adoption and support services to families and children. The workers’ last contract expired on March 31, 2006.

Management has added more responsibilities to the work of foster care support employees, without addressing the issue of inequality,” said McQuestion. “We urge our employer to come to conciliation talks willing to resolve this unfair treatment of dedicated workers. Our members help families and children every day, and we would prefer to settle this dispute without a strike – all we want is a resolution to this very important issue.”

 -30-

For further information, please contact:

Brent McQuestion, CUPE 3042 President, 519-752-6448
Cheri Dobbs, CUPE National Representative, 905-575-5411
James Chai, CUPE Communications, 416-292-3999