Hamilton – The four month lockout at the Arrell Youth Centre in Hamilton is over. The 60 members of OPSEU Local 216 have voted narrowly in favour of an agreement reached on Monday.
“These youth correctional workers deserve to hold their heads up high,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They know the work they do matters. They know the work they do is incredibly important to the youth they support and to the community. And by standing strong together, they got the respect they deserve.
“This is a sorry employer who chose to bully their own workers. This behaviour will not be soon forgotten.”
The members were locked out on April 27, 2018, after refusing to accept significant clawbacks to their contract, but they forced the employer to back down.
They rejected a tentative agreement reached earlier this month forcing the employer back to the table.
“Every one of our union’s 155,000 members is proud of these women and men for fighting for decent wages and working conditions,” said OPSEU First Vice-President / Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida.
“And as a Hamilton resident and a correctional officer, I’m proud of them for fighting for quality rehabilitation and for sending a clear message to this employer.”
For more information: Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931