Aurora – All 50 frontline staff with Addiction Services for York Region (ASYR) have become members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). The workers said yes to joining the 130,000‑strong union at a vote held Monday.
Addictions Services for York Region head office
“This group of hardworking mental health professionals spoke very clearly,” said Ed Arvelin, chair of OPSEU’s Mental Health Division. “We had a high turnout, and the vote was decisively in favour of joining the union. It sends a strong message to the employer, who will need to approach negotiations for a first collective agreement with a serious and collaborative attitude.”
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU, congratulated the workers at ASYR for choosing to join a union that already represents some 8,000 mental health workers in the province.
“As someone who worked in mental health for most of my adult life, I know something about the work of mental health and addictions workers and the particular challenges that go with the field,” said Thomas. “I can confidently say that no one is better able to represent ASYR’s workers than OPSEU.
“I wish them a warm welcome to OPSEU and look forward to achieving a first collective agreement.”
Addiction Services for York Region is a non-profit rehabilitation agency that specializes in the treatment of substance, drug, and alcohol abuse. It provides addiction assessment and out-patient treatment services for individuals aged 12 and older. The agency works out of nine locations throughout York Region, including Aurora, Richmond Hill, Markham, Maple, and Keswick.
For more information: Ed Arvelin, 807-628-9187