FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2004
Youth Workers vote for strike action to back contract demands
OAKVILLE -Youth Workers at the Syl Apps Youth Centre have voted nearly 92 per cent in favour of taking strike action if their current contract demands are not met. Over 88 per cent of the members turned out for the vote, held March 31 and April 1.
On March 25, the first day of talks, Kinark requested the issuance of a "No Board" report from the Ministry of Labour. By making this request, the employer set in motion the possibility of a legal lockout/strike at 12:01 a.m. April 15.
"Our members have sent a message that they want the employer to come to the table and take the bargaining process seriously," said Mohar Budhram, president of OPSEU Local 213. "We would prefer to avoid any type of labour disruption. We hope that Kinark Child & Family Services feels the same way, but up until now we have
not been very encouraged by the employer's attitude at the bargaining table."
Government funded Syl Apps is an 80-bed facility that houses problem "deep-end" youths and hard to serve high risk young offenders aged 12 to 16. The youths are charged with crimes that include armed robbery, murder and sexual assault.
Mediation dates have been scheduled for Wednesday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 13.
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For more information, please contact:
Mohar Budhram (h) 905-848-1953
