FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2000

Court extends injunction against Salvation Army, security company

LONDON - A Superior Court judge has extended a temporary injunction against the Salvation Army and the security firm it has hired to "monitor" striking workers at Salvation Army London Village.

The injunction bars Event Security and Investigations Specialists from conducting unlawful surveillance of picket lines and from using threats or force to intimidate pickets.

"We started our strike seven week ago, but they still don’t get it," said Carol Warner, staff representative for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "The harassment, the intimidation and the verbal abuse of women on the picket line must stop now."

The Salvation Army wanted the court to restrain all picketing. The judge refused, and instead endorsed OPSEU’s agreement to abide by a previously-negotiated protocol.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board will now hear union allegations of unfair labour practices by the Salvation Army.

The 130 workers, members of OPSEU Local 153, went on strike Dec. 14, 1999 over wages, benefits and training issues. The workers, who are residential and vocational counsellors, are 95 per cent women.

The union hopes the labour board will order compensation for damages and bring the parties back to the bargaining table.

"A swift end to this dispute will be achieved by bargaining in good faith, not by illegal intimidation of striking workers," said Warner.

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For more information: Carol Warner (519) 649-7770; (519) 852-2749 (cell)