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TORONTO The official signing of a first contract between a church-based social justice organization and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4557.01 on June 24 was a true reflection of the spirit of the workplace, said Unit Chair Sara Stratton.

The workers are employed by KAIROS, a coalition of Canadian churches, church-based agencies and religious organizations dedicated to promoting human rights, justice and peace, viable human development and universal solidarity.

In her remarks at the signing ceremony, Stratton said she agreed with published comments from United Church of Canada lawyer Scott Thompson that the year spent in negotiations was not at all adversarial. Canada Day will mark the second anniversary of the formation of KAIROS. After staff voted unanimously to join CUPE, the employer agreed to voluntary recognition.

We all arrived at the negotiating table in May 2002 to find good people sitting across from us, Stratton said. Thank you all for what you did to bring us where we are today.

The road ahead may be a bumpy one, Stratton said, but were on public transportation, and the drivers in the union!

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For more information, contact:
Sara Stratton, Unit Chair - 416-463-5312 x 241
Charlotte Monardo, CUPE National Rep - 416-292-3999 x 241
Pat Daley, CUPE Communications - 416-616-6142 (cell)