(GUELPH
) - Members of OPSEU local 203 have voted 88 per cent in favour of walking off
the job if negotiations on a first contract with Guelph Independent Living fail
to reach an agreement.
“Our members have spoken forcefully
and they’re saying the status quo doesn’t work anymore,” said Laura Webster,
president of the local which represents about 75 workers. “We haven’t received a
wage increase in eight years and they’re fed up with being the lowest paid
workers compared to others doing similar work in the region.”
OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas
said the strong strike vote means members aren’t likely to knuckle under to
management’s hard line.
“Our members are fighting for a first
contract and management will be playing hardball. That strategy won’t work in
the face of the powerful mandate our members have delivered to their negotiating
team,” said Thomas.
To rally public support the union is
organizing a community information meeting in Guelph on October 7 at 400
Speedvale Ave. W., starting at 1 p.m.
GIL staff work with people with
physical disabilities and the elderly. They voted to join the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union in October, 2009, and have been in negotiations with
management since January, 2010. Bargaining was disrupted in June when
management abruptly fired a member of the local executive, a move described by
the union as an act of intimidation.
Negotiations are scheduled to resume
Oct. 19.
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