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The 2015 summer caseworker cohort at the Parkdale Community Legal Services is the first bargaining unit of its kind in the legal aid sector in Ontario.
Toronto (07 Aug. 2015) — On August 5, ballot boxes from the certification vote held on behalf of the summer caseworkers at Parkdale Community Legal Services (PCLS) were unsealed. Eighty-eight per cent of caseworkers voted in favour of joining the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).
Grassroots mobilizing campaign convinced employer to withdraw its legal challenges to certification drive
About a month ago, OPSEU/NUPGE made an application on behalf of the summer caseworkers at PCLS, who are also enrolled in the Osgoode Hall Law Program. The employer made a number of legal objections to the certification drive but through a tremendous amount of mobilizing and community outreach, the grassroots effort led by the caseworkers resulted in the Board of Directors at PCLS fully withdrawing their legal challenges.
The 2015 summer caseworker cohort is the first bargaining unit of its kind in the legal aid sector. It will change the nature of the Clinic for the better as well as bolster other organizing efforts across Ontario’s legal sector.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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