FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2000

Salvation Army workers reject employer’s offer

LONDON - After 101 days on the picket line, striking workers at the Salvation Army London Village have rejected the latest - and likely, final - contract offer from their employer.

The offer included zero, zero, and one-per-cent wage increases in consecutive years of a three-year deal, the closure of three programs, and the layoff of 50 out of 130 staff. It was rejected by 63 per cent of employees.

The rejection could cost them their jobs. On March 17, the Salvation Army vowed to close London Village for good if workers did not accept the deal.

“We’ve never asked for much - just the right to be treated with the dignity and respect any person deserves,” said Diana Smith, president of Local 153 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. “If they close us down, we’ll lose our jobs, but it’s our clients and their families who will keep on paying the price for the cold-hearted arrogance of this employer.”

While the employer has cried poor throughout these negotiations, it has never disclosed the true state of its finances, Smith said.

“They say the cupboard is bare, but they won’t open the door,” she said. “What are they hiding?”

London Village doesn’t have to close, Smith said.

“If they want to come back and negotiate seriously with us, we’re ready right now,” she said. “We’ve been ready for 101 days.”

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For more information: Diana Smith or Carol Warner (519) 852-2749; (519) 649-7770