SAULT STE. MARIE Workers at Community Living Algoma, serving communities throughout the district, will be in a legal strike position at 12:01 a.m. on April 23rd.
“We offered to let an independent arbitrator decide our outstanding issues, and avoid a strike that will certainly hurt our clients,” says Matthew Cavaliere, CUPE Local 1880 bargaining committee representative. “Community Living Algoma management refused that solution, setting the stage for a walkout April 23rd.”
One day of mediation has been scheduled for April 22nd, but the union is not hopeful a settlement can be reached unless the employer is prepared to offer a fair wage increase, or agree to go to arbitration.
“They are saying the ministry of Community and Social Services won’t fund any wage increase,” says Cavaliere. “We’re saying stop fighting your own workers, let an independent arbitrator decide what’s fair, and then join our campaign for better funding from the ministry.”
“We invite families and friends of our residents and clients to contact Community Living Algoma management and tell them to accept arbitration as a way to avoid a strike otherwise this employer is needlessly putting vulnerable people at risk.”
CUPE represents 400 workers at Community Living Algoma, including support workers, cooks, cleaners, social workers, supportive living, supportive housing, life skills workers and counsellors. These dedicated professionals offer care and support services to clients with exceptional needs, many with severe physical and behavioural difficulties, through day programs and in round-the-clock residential settings.
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For further information, please contact:
Trish Andrews, CUPE National Representative
705-949-6221
Matthew Cavaliere, Local 1880 Bargaining Cttee
705-759-6914
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999
“We offered to let an independent arbitrator decide our outstanding issues, and avoid a strike that will certainly hurt our clients,” says Matthew Cavaliere, CUPE Local 1880 bargaining committee representative. “Community Living Algoma management refused that solution, setting the stage for a walkout April 23rd.”
One day of mediation has been scheduled for April 22nd, but the union is not hopeful a settlement can be reached unless the employer is prepared to offer a fair wage increase, or agree to go to arbitration.
“They are saying the ministry of Community and Social Services won’t fund any wage increase,” says Cavaliere. “We’re saying stop fighting your own workers, let an independent arbitrator decide what’s fair, and then join our campaign for better funding from the ministry.”
“We invite families and friends of our residents and clients to contact Community Living Algoma management and tell them to accept arbitration as a way to avoid a strike otherwise this employer is needlessly putting vulnerable people at risk.”
CUPE represents 400 workers at Community Living Algoma, including support workers, cooks, cleaners, social workers, supportive living, supportive housing, life skills workers and counsellors. These dedicated professionals offer care and support services to clients with exceptional needs, many with severe physical and behavioural difficulties, through day programs and in round-the-clock residential settings.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Trish Andrews, CUPE National Representative
705-949-6221
Matthew Cavaliere, Local 1880 Bargaining Cttee
705-759-6914
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999