Management at three community agencies joined the Ford government in attacking workers who are fighting for the future of services that their communities rely on, locking them out.
At 12:01 am this morning, management locked out more than 120 workers at Ingersoll Support Services and 65 workers at Murray McKinnon Foundation were locked out. Workers at Aptus Treatment Centre have been notified they will be locked out at 12:01 am on May 24.
Workers at these agencies are part of Worth Fighting For, a historic coordinated bargaining campaign that brings together workers across community health and social services. They’ve taken their demands to the Ford government, which provides funding for the agencies. Chronic underfunding, combined with Premier Ford’s unconstitutional Bill 124, has led to vulnerable people falling through the cracks, families struggling to access support, and workers being pushed into poverty. Workers are calling for funding to protect services.
“This fight is about creating a system where experienced workers can afford to stay, relationships can grow stronger, and people can live with dignity and real belonging in their communities,” said Bob Ekins, a worker at Ingersoll Support Services. “Too many experienced staff are leaving these jobs because they can’t survive on these wages and under these conditions. That turnover hurts everyone, especially people with developmental disabilities who depend on stable relationships and consistent support.”
Thousands of community health and social services workers, represented by OPSEU/SEFPO, issued notice that without action from the Ford government, they would take coordinated strike action on May 25th.
“Rather than stand with workers and demand funding for services, management moved to lock workers out,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “As workers make this critical stand – not just for themselves, but for the people they support – some employers have chosen to side with the Ford government and attack workers.”