MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OP
WOODSTOCK – Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president
of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, will be in Woodstock tonight for
a solidarity rally with union members at the Canadian Mental Health Association
as the clock ticks down to a potential strike Feb. 14.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Oxford CMHA office
522 Peel Street,
Woodstock, Ontario
The 39 members of OPSEU Local 152 are seeking
parity with other community mental health workers in the Southwest Local Health
Integration Network. Oxford wages are 10 to 20 per cent lower than those of
other regulated mental health care professionals in neighbouring areas.
Oxford CMHA Executive Director Joe Penton has
threatened “substantial layoffs” and workload increases if pay rates rise
to the industry norm.
“Oxford CMHA has the second-highest funding of any CMHA in the
Southwest LHIN but the second-lowest wages,” says OPSEU negotiator Carol Warner.
“Staff voted 100 per cent against the employer’s offer, and they are determined
to be treated fairly.”
CMHA employees at the “Sick
Procession” rally will be dressed in bandages and black eyes to highlight their
reaction to the employer’s contract offer. |
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For more information:
Tischa Battram, OPSEU Local 152 bargaining team chair, Oxford CMHA (519)
777-1581
Kim McDowell, OPSEU Local 152 President (519) 765-8660
Carol Warner, OPSEU Staff Representative (519) 319-1736 (cell)
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