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OPSEU LOCAL 144 NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2007
LONDON: Food services workers at Huron College could be on strike as early as 12:01 Monday March 26. The union’s efforts to bargain a fair contract with Compass Group Canada (Beaver Ltd.), the contractor for the college’s food court, broke down March 5 over a number of issues including wages and sick time. In a March 20 meeting, members rejected the employer’s final offer, made at mediation on March 19. The workers, members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 144 representing 20 food service employees, say wages lag 25 to 40 per cent behind those earned by similar workers with the same employer at St. Clair College in Windsor. As well, there is a large wage gap between food court workers at Huron College and those at the University of Western Ontario, across the street. The maximum rate for Huron College food court workers is about 60-70 per cent of that of UWO food court workers who do comparable work. Union members also say the lack of proper sick time is forcing many workers to come in to work sick, when they should be at home recuperating, so they don’t suffer financially. “This is not a healthy practice in a food court. Sick time should be more generous in order to protect public health,” said Angie Jacques, chair of bargaining for the union. No talks are scheduled at this time. -30- For more information, contact:
OPSEU LOCAL 144 STRIKE UPDATE
Guests include: OPSEU President Leah Casselman and other
supporters View Media
Release for this Rally
On April 5, Huron College faculty, and the Faculty of Theology joined Local 144 on the picket line. Faculty members showed their support by walking the line with our members and speaking to many students entering the college. London’s NDP MP Irene Mathyssen also joined the workers on the picket line. The local sends out a hearty thank you for this much appreciated solidarity and support.
March 29, 2007 OPSEU Members Support Local 144 OPSEU members on strike against the Compass Group/ Huron College/ University of Western Ontario (UWO) have been on the line since March 26. No talks are scheduled at this time. Members from Local 163 (Liquor Board Employees Division) joined the line. Members have received tremendous support from Local 144, Community Living London Unit. Local 110 (Fanshaw College faculty) has pledged to match the Local 101 (OPS) donation made on the first day of the strike. Who is backing Compass Group? The University of Western Ontario is allowing its property to be a pipeline for food and scabs being transported to the Huron College Food Court. Pickets were set up today on UWO property to stop the pipeline and the university told picketers they would be charged with trespassing unless they vacated immediately. We expect better from an institution that should be part of the community and committed to social justice. Liberal MPPs: On Tuesday, March 6, 2007, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson, and Peter Fonseca MPP Mississauga East joined the staff and students at Mississauga Secondary School (MSS), to help Compass Group Canada kick off National Nutrition Month. These are the same MPPs who are members of a government that say they want to combat poverty and raise the minimum wage! What can you do?Walk the line . Consider making a donation.
If you are a UWO Alumni, contact the Alumni Association , the Board of Governors and the Office of the President:
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