Members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 448 – Community Living Prince Edward (CLPE) have secured an agreement to end their 12-week strike through mediation-arbitration with Gerry Lee.
They are following in the footsteps of other OPSEU/SEFPO members in the Worth Fighting For campaign, who have secured wage compensation that is setting a higher standard in developmental services.
Developmental services workers at Community Living Prince Edward provide vital support to adults with developmental disabilities. Years of low wages, below-inflation increases and underfunding have left workers struggling to make ends meet, with many working second jobs or accessing food banks.
In addition to wage increases, workers fought for improvements to their pension – including extending those improvements to part-time workers. This is an important win for part-time and precarious workers and helps set a new standard for members across OPSEU/SEFPO’s developmental services sector.
Through coordinated bargaining and strike action, community, health and social service workers have been fighting the future of the services they provide.
“Our sector relies on dedicated, skilled and qualified staff,” said Jason Sweet, chair of the Bargaining Team. “By securing a stronger deal for our members, more workers can stay in these jobs, protecting continuity of care for the people we support.”
While workers at CLPE have secured a deal today, their fight for funding continues alongside thousands of workers whose wages were stolen by the Ford government’s Bill 124. It also continues alongside the families and communities fighting to protect the services that some of the most vulnerable people in our communities rely on.
“This agreement raises the floor for the next group of workers at the bargaining table,” said JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President. “Using our collective power to win better for workers and for the people who rely on these services – that’s what Worth Fighting For is about.”
This award was secured after twelve weeks of fierce commitment on the picket line, coordinated action across the Worth Fighting For campaign, and deep support from families and the community. That solidarity will continue as workers continue to fight for stolen wages and to secure increased funding for vital services.