MEDIA ADVISORY

Casselman blames government funding cuts for London Village strike

London – OPSEU president Leah Casselman says the province can expect more strikes at Associations for Community Living unless the government increases funding for the agencies. Casselman will speak to members of OPSEU Local 153 who went on strike earlier this week at the Salvation Army London Village.

Date: Saturday December 18, 1999

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: Salvation Army London Village

1340 Dundas Street East, London

The 130 workers who provide care for people with disabilities at the Salvation Army London Village, went on strike at midnight Tuesday to back demands for better wages and compensation for mandatory staff training. "We currently have strikes underway at three ACL’s in this province and government funding cuts to the agencies are to blame for all of them," said Casselman.

The Harris government said it would take the savings from closing government developmental services facilities and apply them to funding Associations for Community Living. "Harris said he wouldn’t fight the deficit at the expense of handicapped children and the disabled who need support through family and children’s services," said Casselman. "But that’s exactly what his government has done because only 72 per cent of those savings were put back into the system and funding has been cut a further 5 per cent this year."

The workers are seeking a 1.5 per cent wage increase in each year of a two-year agreement but the employer says it doesn’t have the money to pay for it. "The government has the money and it can end this dispute," said Casselman, "but instead of offering good will it’s acting like Scrooge."

-30-

For further information:

Bill Trbovich 416-561-5613/793-0092
Carol Warner 519-852-2407

 Press Release Index