Workers at Craigwood Youth Services call for community support
LONDON - May 15, 2012
Workers at Craigwood Youth Services are holding an
information picket outside their main campus in Ailsa Craig on
Wednesday, March 16, 2012. They will be handing out flyers and calling
for community support as they come close to two years without a
contract.
DATE: Wednesday, May 16
TIME: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
PLACE: Craigwood Youth Services Main Campus
ADDRESS: 26996 New Ontario Road
Ailsa Craig, ON
³It is unacceptable that these workers are still without
a contract,² said OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. ³Craigwood
Youth Services workers deserve a fair contract and respect from their
employer.²
Although the hiring standards are high and most staff
have a three year post-secondary diploma or university degree, these
workers receive
comparatively very low wages for the work they do.
The employer is offering four years of zero percent wage
increases.
"Our employer wants to kick us when we are down. A four
year wage freeze is completely unacceptable," said Jonathan Guider, a
bargaining team member and Chair of OPSEU Community Corrections.
"Craigwood Youth Services workers do not have WSIB
coverage," said Guider. "We endure substantial risk at work. We need
this employer to make a
commitment to ensuring workers are safe and protected."
The employer has not met its pay equity obligations,
which now go back as many as 15 years. "What is galling is that they are
using their pay equity obligation as an excuse to freeze our wages.
Wages and pay equity are two totally different things," said Guider.
"We are asking this employer to come back to the table
with a reasonable offer. Until then they can expect workers to hold
regular information pickets informing the public of what is happening in
this work place."
There are 118 employees at Craigwood. Many only have
part-time positions.
Craigwood Youth Services run a youth detention centre, a
secure custody facility and treatment centres for high-risk youth.
Workers at Craigwood are highly skilled and perform a wide range of
tasks including counseling, cooking, teaching life skills, classroom
support work, and handing out medication.
For more information:
Jonathan Guider, OPSEU Community Corrections Chair,
Bargaining Team member and Unit Steward of Local 166 (Cell)
519-614-4937
Denise Sands, OPSEU Staff Representative (cell)
519-671-7319
