News Releases    

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2003

Striking Kennedy House workers plan information picket at Minister Brenda Elliott's office

GUELPH - Striking workers from a young offender facility in Ajax will set up an information picket at the constituency office of the Minister of Community, Family and Children's Services on Thursday.

Date: Thursday July 10, 2003
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: 173 Woolwich Street, Guelph, Ontario

The Minister has sat on an internal operational review since July 2003. The operational review revealed that Kennedy House often pays its Directors for services to the organization. The report called this a conflict of interest.

High staff turnover, staff working with no training on restraints or use of medications and health and safety risks for both the workers and the kids explains why the report called the Rotherglen site "potentially volatile and vulnerable."

Despite repeated calls for action, the Minister has failed to step in and take control of Kennedy House Youth Services.

Thirty-five workers at the Rotherglen secure custody facility for kids age 12 to 15, operated by Kennedy House Youth Services, have been on strike since June 12.

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For further information contact:

Jan Borowy (416) 427-0083
Ian Johnson OPSEU Local 361 (289) 314-1940