WINDSOR – A strike by 60 daycare workers at the ABC Day Nursery in Windsor could begin April 20th (12:01 a.m.) unless mediation talks scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 19th at the Best Western achieve a settlement.
“We will do everything we can to avoid a strike,” says Moira Drouillard, chairperson of Local 543.4 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). “Our employer wants to have us co-pay premiums for our benefit package – that would wipe out any raise we get in the first year of our contract.”
CUPE Local 543.4 members voted 93% in favour of strike action if a deal cannot be reached.
“This is a predominantly female workforce already earning low wages,” says Ken McClelland, CUPE National Representative. “A hit like benefits premiums would really hurt our members in the pocket book.”
“We’re hoping to achieve a settlement with our employer on Friday,” adds Drouillard. “The last thing we want is a strike because we know how difficult it will be for the families we serve – but we are prepared to act if necessary.”
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For further information, please contact:
Moira Drouillard, Chairperson, Local 543.4
519-966-9595
Ken McClelland, CUPE National Rep.
519-966-9595
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications
416-292-3999