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Cambridge – Members of CUPE Local 1882, who work at Haven House in Cambridge, will be meeting with their employer and a government-appointed conciliator on Tuesday, June 11th. The workers have been in negotiations since December, 2001, and have so far not reached an agreement. They have been in a legal strike position since mid-May.

Our employer is seeking to remove some very basic, fair language in our contract,” said Paula Drake-Jones, a worker at the shelter and a member of Local 1882’s negotiating committee. “They want to implement regressive contract language concerning discipline and discharge, and this is simply not acceptable. Shelter workers are among the most overworked, underpaid workers in the social services community. Every day we support and advocate on behalf of the women and children who come to our shelter, despite heavy caseloads and brutal funding cutbacks. We absolutely deserve a fair contract, and we deserve respect in our workplace,” she said.

CUPE Local 1882 represents 140 workers in the city of Cambridge, including 24 employees at Haven House. “The last thing we want to do is go on strike,” said Marilyn Gilbert, president of Local 1882, “but if the employer does not come around on some of these key issues, I’m afraid that’s exactly where we’re headed.”

CUPE represents 180,000 working women and men in Ontario, many of whom work for municipalities, hospitals, school boards and universities.

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For more information:
Paula Drake-Jones, shelter worker, member of CUPE Local 1882,
519-621-5557
Marilyn Gilbert, President, CUPE Local 1882,
519-621-5557
Michael Dunn, CUPE National Representative,
519-743-7781
Andrea Addario, CUPE Communications,
416-292-3999, ext. 240