Members of CUPE 2073, representing workers at 24 locations of the Canadian Hearing Society across Ontario, have been on strike since March 6 - and today they were joined on the picket line by CUPE National President Mark Hancock, National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury, and Ontario Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick.
Their message was simple. “We’re here today to support you,” said Fleury. “We will stand with you all the way until you get a fair contract.”
“Thank you for your courage,” said Rennick. “We’ll make sure you have the resources you need to stay out here and keep fighting as long as you have to.”
“Our members want to provide the services our communities rely on,” said Hancock, noting CUPE is ready to return to the bargaining table and get to work on a new contract.
CUPE 2073 members have been without a contract for four years. Their push for a modest wage increase has been refused by their employer. The Society has also targeted workers’ sick days in bargaining.
“The problem isn’t workers, it’s the bosses who won’t negotiate a fair contract. But we’re here today to let them know, when they pick a fight with one CUPE local, they’re picking a fight with all 643,000 of our members,” Hancock added. “So stay strong, stay united - we will win.”