FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2000

MEDIA ADVISORY

Striking Salvation Army staff hold "zero per cent means no" rally

LONDON – Striking staff at Salvation Army Community Living will protest their employer’s zero per cent wage offer outside the Salvation Army Village in London.

Date: Saturday, February 26
Time: 12 noon
Place: Salvation Army Village
           1340 Dundas St. E. (corner of Dundas St., and Highbury Ave.) London

The 130 striking vocational and residential counsellors are members of Local 153 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. OPSEU President Leah Casselman will speak at the rally.

"There is no justification for the Salvation Army’s zero per cent wage offer when the provincial government says it will fund up to two per cent per year," said Casselman. ‘The Salvation Army should show some respect for their employees, many of whom work more than one job to make ends meet, and pay up."

The Salvation Army has forced a supervised vote on its most recent offer to be held March 3. The union is recommending its members turn it down.

OPSEU is asking for a wage increase of one per cent per year in a two-year contract, as well as a signing bonus in the first year. The union is also asking for staff to be paid when they attend mandatory training courses.

The strike by Salvation Army Community Living staff in London began Dec. 14, 1999.

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For more information: 

Carol Warner (519) 649-7770; (519) 852-2749 (cell)