The 44 staff at Meaford Community Living could be on strike
July 25 unless the McGuinty government comes through with the necessary
funding increase to developmental services.
The members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 235 voted
July 20 to reject their employer’s latest offer.
This comes as more than 1,000 staff at Community Living London, Middlesex
Community Living, Elgin Association for Community Living and Community
Living Chatham-Kent have been on strike for four weeks. Workers at about a
dozen other agencies across Ontario also have strong strike votes.
Another bargaining unit of the same local will vote on an employer’s
offer Monday July 23. If members at Hanover Adult Resource Centre reject
their employer’s offer, they could also be on strike July 25.
“We’re still hoping the Premier will come through, but we’re not
optimistic,” said Mary Kelly, chair of the bargaining team in Meaford. “So
far the government has not been willing to make services for people with
developmental disabilities a priority.”
Employers agree the biggest problem facing developmental services is low
wages. Staff are leaving the profession for equivalent positions in other
fields because the pay is 25-30 percent more. Agencies can’t get enough
qualified staff. Developmental services are in crisis; people with
developmental disabilities are suffering the most.
“The last thing we want to be doing is withholding our services,” said
Ms. Kelly. “But this government has proven we have to do something drastic
to raise awareness of their lack of commitment to the people we support.”
“We want to settle this. Everyone agrees on the problem – it’s up to the
government to fix it,” said Ms. Kelly.
