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March of Dimes bullies its workers into taking wage and benefits cuts, locks them out rather than negotiate a fair agreement.
Toronto (08 Nov. 2013) - Locked out members of the Ontario Public Service Emloyees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) were joined today by members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 966 in a protest outside of the Ontario March of Dimes headquarters to demand an end to a lock out affecting the OPSEU/NUPGE members at the agency’s Oakville housing complex. The lock-out is now into its second week.
On Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day, workers hold a rally at Ontario March of Dimes to protest lock out
More than 50 union members were greeted by speakers including Myles Magner, OPSEU Region 5 Executive Board member, Lucy Morton, OPSEU Region 2, CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn and Marie Clarke Walker, executive vice-president of the Canadian Labour Congress. They called for a suspension of charitable donations to the March of Dimes.
“On behalf of OPSEU’s executive board, we pledge that OPSEU will spread the word about the March of Dimes and their unconscionable demand that our members accept a three-year wage freeze,” said Magner. “If the March of Dimes thinks it can bully its workers to work for less, we will be asking members of the public that might have been thinking about donating to the March of Dimes this pre-holiday season, then they should think again.”
Management demanding cuts to wages and benefits
As management watched from the sidelines protesters cried out “shame” when bargaining team members Jolene Schotsman and Carolyn LaFee described the list of concessions that the Oakville workers face, which, apart from the wage freeze, also include a cut to vacation and benefit entitlements and elimination of the one day per year they are granted for compassionate leave.
Workers ended the lively noon hour rally with dancing and thanked workers from other units who attended including OPSEU/NUPGE members from Locals 740 Community Living Thunder Bay and Local 676 Community Living Sudbury, and members from OPSEU’s Greater Toronto Area Council.
More information:
Community Social Service Workers website
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE