Both sides will meet with conciliator on Dec. 3 for talks: Unifor
Workers at Wellkin Child and Youth Services in Woodstock, Ont., voted on Nov. 28 to take strike action if a new collective agreement cannot be reached.
The 40 child and youth workers and social workers are members of Unifor, Local 302 and could be on strike as of Dec. 5.
“Our members are extremely dedicated to the work they do, providing a critical social service for children and youth who could be dealing with suicidal thoughts, addiction, abusive homes or struggling with their sexuality,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor national president. “They cannot be expected to put up with the multiple, outrageous concessions this employer has proposed.”
New management at Welkin Child and Youth Services has tabled concessions to benefits, including elimination of vision care, cuts to RRSP contributions, reductions to vacation and sick-leave entitlement and a three-year wage freeze, according to Unifor.
The collective agreement expired in March 2018. The union and the employer will meet with the conciliator on Dec. 3 for negotiations, said the union.
Operated by a board of directors, this community agency has its head office in Woodstock. It also provides services to in the neighbouring communities St. Thomas, Tillsonburg, Aylmer and Ingersoll, all in Ontario, through schools and satellite offices.
Unlike most others in the sector, this workplace is exempt from Ontario’s Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (HLDAA), which does not allow essential service providers the right to strike, according to Unifor.
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy.
