FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2000

Talks collapse as Salvation Army sticks to zero per cent

LONDON - Contract talks between the Salvation Army London Village and 130 striking residential and vocational counsellors broke down yesterday after the employer refused to budge from its zero per cent wage offer.

“The employer has changed its position on pay equity,” said Carol Warner, negotiator for Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 153, “but they’ve offered nothing more than what they’re required to under the law. It’s not a change in their wage position.”

The Salvation Army told the union bargaining team that it would apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board for a supervised vote on the latest offer.

“They can call a vote if they want, but our members have not invested this much in their contract just to go back for nothing,” Warner said. “All our members want is some respect and some acknowledgement of the value of the work they do.”

The Salvation Army told the union that the Ministry of Community and Social Services may conduct an internal audit of the London Village’s operations.

“We would welcome a Ministry review,” said Warner. “We’ve always had a lot of questions about management practices. It’s about time some of them came to light.

“If they can get McCarthy Tetrault (“Canada’s national law firm”) to do their bargaining, they can afford to treat poorly-paid workers with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

The strike by 130 residential and vocational counsellors began Dec. 14, 1999.

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