NEWMARKET: All child protection services in York
Region could be withdrawn as of Monday Aug. 27
after staff of the York Children’s Aid Society
rejected a final contract offer.
The Ontario Public
Service Employees Union, representing 180
unionized staff at York CAS, was close to an
agreement with the employer when talks broke
down. The bargaining team could not accept the
employer’s last position on wages, workload and
mileage.
If there is a strike,
members will be available to the media:
Place: 25
Millard Avenue, Newmarket
Time: Monday
Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m.
Workload is a key issue
for union members. “Our members want to be able
to respond to the urgent needs of children and
families without placing anyone in jeopardy,”
said OPSEU Local 304 President Lisa Maynard.
“In a two year period
we turned over 50 per cent of our staff, often
leaving to work in other CAS agencies. This
employer can no longer ignore the crippling
workload at York Region CAS,” said OPSEU Local
President Lisa Maynard.
OPSEU members are
determined to secure a collective agreement that
will address the serious problems with working
conditions at the agency.
The most recent
contract expired March 31, 2007. No bargaining
is scheduled.
