News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2003

Children's Aid workers to picket for children at risk: "We're at the breaking point"

LONDON – Employees of the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex will hold an information picket Tuesday to draw attention to crushing caseloads that are putting children at increased risk of abuse, injury and death.

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Time: 12:00 noon
Place: 1680 Oxford Street, LONDON

“Children’s Aid workers are dealing with more children in care and an increase in the work connected to each case,” said Lynne Easter-Froats, president of Local 116 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. “We’re at the breaking point. We can no longer cope with the physical and emotional demands of high caseloads and still give our community’s children the service they deserve.”

The roughly 400 children’s aid workers are fighting to solve the workload problem at the bargaining table. The union will meet the employer, with the assistance of a conciliation officer, on May 21. Failure at conciliation would start the clock ticking towards a legal strike or lockout date.

“Children’s Aid staff fight for children and families every day,” said Easter-Froats. “These negotiations are just another way we’re fighting to get them the resources they need.”

Other unresolved issues at the bargaining table include benefits, vacation, mileage expenses, and wages.

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For more information:

Lynne Easter-Froats (519) 455-9000 ext. 465; (519) 933-6455 (cell)
Karen Cudmore (519) 455-9000 ext. 229
Tom Watson, OPSEU Negotiator (519) 649-7770