Scarborough – Frontline workers at Julliette’s Place women’s shelter say they won’t accept concessions in their next collective agreement.
The workers are facing employer demands for cuts to RRSP contributions and wages. At a meeting earlier this month, members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 518 voted unanimously to give their bargaining team a strike mandate.
“The message that staff at Julliette’s Place sent management couldn’t be clearer,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They do important work, they do valuable work, and they are ready to stand up for their rights and have that value respected and recognized.”
The 27 OPSEU members provide services for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
“The core business of Julliette’s Place is to empower women, yet at the bargaining table management has proposed nothing but takeaways,” said Thomas. “This is not something we have any intention of accepting, and if the only way to make management listen is to get ready for a strike, then that’s just what we’ll do.”
The OPSEU collective agreement at Julliette’s Place expired on March 31, 2017. The two sides have met with the assistance of a conciliator; no new talks are scheduled at this time.
For more information: Kayla MacNeil-DeSousa, OPSEU staff representative, 416-433-7499