FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18, 2000

Salvation Army has the money to end strike says OPSEU

London- "The Salvation Army has the money to end this strike today but it lacks the heart", said Diana Smith, president of OPSEU Local 153. The strike by 130 members of the local against the Salvation Army London Village has entered its sixth week with no end in sight.

Since negotiations began in April 1999, the Salvation Army has maintained that it doesn’t have enough money to pay for the 1.5- percent wage increase demanded by OPSEU in each year of a two-year agreement. "They can afford to pay $475,000 cash for a piece of property in Goderich last August but they can’t afford to give their workers a modest wage increase", said Smith.

"I think it’s time they come clean with just how they spend their money operating homes for people with developmental disabilities", said OPSEU representative Carol Warner. "Each one of their clients receives a monthly allowance of $930 from the province under the Family Benefits Act and $818 of that allowance is paid to the Salvation Army for their room and board", she said. With five clients per group home, the Salvation Army is generating almost $4100 of income per month per home.

"Giving begins at home", said OPSEU president Leah Casselman, "I think it’s time for the Salvation Army to take a second look at its finances and find the heart to give their workers a modest increase and return their clients to the quality of care they deserve."

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For Further Information:

Bill Trbovich 416-561-5613/416-793-0092
Carol Warner 519-852-2749