FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2005
Canadian Blood Services workers cast strike vote
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) staff in Ontario overwhelmingly cast their support behind their union bargaining team during a strike vote taken across the province throughout last week.
The Support Unit voted 95 per cent in favour of giving their bargaining team the ability to call a strike, while 88 per cent of the Technologists' Unit did the same. Together, these units represent 1,000 CBS workers in the province.
"After spending more than 18 months trying to achieve their last collective agreement, our members at Canadian Blood Services are sending a clear signal to the employer that they mean business," says Leah Casselman, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
Last year Canadian Blood Services workers walked off the job in Nova Scotia, reducing the reserve of blood in that province from four days to one during the three-month strike.
"Unlike Nova Scotia, where Ontario stepped in to prop up the blood supply, there is no province in Canada that is capable of meeting this province's demand in the event of labour action," says Casselman. "This should be a wake-up call for CBS."
No strike date has been set by the union. Teams from both units continue to meet with the employer at the bargaining table.
In a recent employee satisfaction survey taken by the employer, the agency received grades of C and D in most categories.
"Rumour has it that they want to be one of Canada's Top 100 employers," says Casselman. "If that's the case, then they better turn around and start marching in the opposite direction."
-30-
For more information, contact Ruth Hamilton at 416-443-8888 ext 8311.
