In week six of their historic strike, 4000 community, health and social service workers took their now iconic purple shirts nearly everywhere. On Monday, members rallied outside MPP Kinga Surma’s constituency office. Instead of listening to workers, MPP Surma drew even more attention on social media by misrepresenting striking care and support workers as intimidating, just as the Premier did after being drowned out by striking workers at Ford Fest.
That evening, members of Local 386 held a Family Town Hall to discuss the ongoing developmental services crisis and the urgent need for change. The evening provided an opportunity to share experiences, answer questions, and discuss how chronic underfunding has affected workers, families, and the individuals we support. It was a powerful reminder that families and frontline workers are united in this fight.
Throughout the week, members from regions 3 and 4 took a message to Ford’s family cottage – getting creative and organizing ‘flotillas’ of kayaks, canoes, and even an inflatable unicorn! With signs and flags on board, members sent a clear message: workers will not be ignored.
On Canada Day, striking workers took their message to community events and BBQs, including at Queen’s Park where they were once again brushed off by Premier Ford. Even when directly asked by workers to meet, Ford ignored and continued on in his photo ops before hastily driving off.
Throughout the week, members got creative with outreach and events in their communities, including community barbeques, parks, and even held a baseball game in Brockville before heading to the Local MPP offices.
On Thursday, striking workers from Hamilton, Oakville and Norfolk County held a community day in front of the office of MPP Donna Skelly. Despite repeated requests, MPP Skelly has refused to meet with workers since May – even calling police when workers staged a peaceful sit-in to demand a meeting.
In Thunder Bay, striking workers rallied outside MPP Kevin Holland’s office, joking that the only way to get a meeting with MPP Holland was with his bumper. Holland has repeatedly refused to meet with workers and, at a PC event in June, bumped into picketing workers with his vehicle.
Despite Doug Ford’s best efforts to avoid workers and the families of the people they support, striking workers are making this fight impossible to ignore.
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