On April 26, after demanding that the 60 members of OPSEU Local 216 take a significant cut to their health plan, the employer of Arrell Youth Centre locked out their workers, creating a chaotic situation.
What’s at stake in this dispute?
- Health and safety. Youth justice workers are being bullied into accepting wholesale cuts to their health plan, which will cost them each up to $1200 a year.
- Decent work. The Liberals have passed legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The employer tabled a 2019 increase for the lowest paid workers – cooks, maintenance and secretaries – at less than $15.00 an hour. Shame!
- Fairness. Management has provided no reason for asking our members to make less for doing the same work, many with families and years of experience. Why is the employer attacking the already modest conditions of work?
How you can help:
Join picket activities
Contact Len Mancini for the latest information on rotating pickets at 905-317-9366.
Make a donation
To make a donation, cheques should be made out to: OPSEU Local 216, with note, "donation for striking workers." Please mail cheques to the OPSEU Hamilton Regional office to the attention of Len Mancini, Local 216 president, 505 York Blvd., 2nd Fl, Hamilton, ON, L8R 3K4
Contact elected representatives
MCSS Minister, Michael Coteau at [email protected], tel: 416-494-6856. Tweet @coteau, #ArrelLockout.
Liberal MPP, Ted McMeekin at [email protected], tel: 1-888-566-6614. Tweet @TedMcMeekin, #ArrelLockout.
Tell them that this labour dispute is an attack on working people. If the Liberals are serious about protecting decent work in our communities, they must intervene to stop this unnecessary lockout.
Contact Arrell Youth Centre Chief Executive Officer
Tell Kim Ciavarella to get back to the table and bargain a fair contract with members of OPSEU Local 216. She can be contacted at: [email protected], tel: 905-912-1101.