Members of Radius Child and Youth Services, Local 511 conducted a strike vote on June 10th. Ninety per cent of the members attended the vote and the bargaining team received a 100 per cent strike mandate. The Union filed for conciliation on June 11th.
“I applaud the strong strike mandate taken by members of Local 511,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “We never negotiate for a strike, but if it happens, members and the employer must know that OPSEU will support Local 511 with all of our considerable resources.”
“Our members are proud of the professional work they do. The 100 per cent strike mandate will help them get the fair and just deal they deserve,” said Kim Madden, Chair of the Bargaining Committee.
Members are currently covered by the existing OPS Collective Agreement that expired on December 31, 2014. Bargaining started at Radius in December 2014. After bargaining for 11 days, the parties reached an impasse on May 19.
The employer wants a wage cut, an increased work week, changes to the pension plan, and for members to pay more benefits’ premiums.
The 19-member bargaining unit comprises Social Workers, Psychometrists and Administrative staff. Radius Child and Youth Services was created from the merger of the Oakville-based Halton Trauma Centre and the Sexual Abuse: Family Education and Treatment Program (SAFE-T).
SAFE-T is an internationally recognized program serving the Greater Toronto Area, Peel Region, and York Region. SAFE-T provides specialized assessment and treatment services to youth and families that have experienced intra-familial sexual abuse, children who exhibit concerning sexualized behaviours, and youth who have offended sexually. SAFE-T offers training and consultation to health professionals (both in Canada and abroad), Youth Justice, Children's Aid Societies, schools, and parents, in order to increase awareness and understanding of child sexual abuse, sexualized behaviour, and sexual offending.