Today is the eighth week of picketing for CUPE 5525. To mark the occasion, the 24 racialized personal care workers of CUPE 5525 welcomed NDP shadow minister for labour, Jamie West, and president of CUPE 1734, Michelle Campbell, to their picket line. The workers have been on the picket line since May 28, after the employer tabled a proposal which offered no benefits for the part time members of the bargaining unit, and a significant reduction on sick day provisions.
“Federal workers are now protected by anti-scab legislation which makes it illegal for federally regulated employers to use replacement workers during a strike or lockout,” said Jamie West. “The Ontario NDP has tabled legislation to ban the use of scab labour over a dozen times, only to have the proposal voted down by successive provincial Liberal and Conservative governments. Because of Doug Ford, Ontario still does not have anti-scab legislation for workers in our province, and the 24 striking members of CUPE 5525 at Villa Colombo are being disrespected every day their employer brings in scabs. I am ashamed of the way these workers are being treated in 2025.”
“Villa Colombo continues to choose confrontation over compassion. These striking workers have devoted years—some, decades—caring for residents with dignity and dedication. Bringing in scabs hasn’t solved their crisis, it’s created one,” added Michelle Campbell. “When employers bring in scabs instead of settling things fairly, they make one thing clear: staff trusted to care for seniors can be discarded the moment it becomes inconvenient. CUPE 1734 unequivocally condemns Villa Colombo’s actions and demands they return to the table with a fair deal for CUPE 5525 members.”