This community centre may face a strike this week

Published November 6, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Roughly 160 front-line support workers at Brampton-Caledon Community Living could face a strike on Friday, November 8, 2019, should an agreement not be reached to protect stable jobs and servi

Roughly 160 front-line support workers at Brampton-Caledon Community Living could face a strike on Friday, November 8, 2019, should an agreement not be reached to protect stable jobs and services, according to Salil Arya, president of CUPE Local 966, which represents workers at the agency.

“Stable jobs are necessary for ensuring quality care, but instead of addressing this, BCCL is trying to negotiate a contract that will split shifts and push more workers into part-time employment where they will ultimately seek a second job, or a new job entirely,” said Arya. “It is unfair to the people who rely on our services who require care workers that understand individuals’ needs to get the care that they deserve,” said Arya.

The issues involve proposed changes to job classifications and scheduling, which would result in more workers in a part-time status.

“We want this to be a place where people want to work,” said Arya.

“We’re seeing more and more people look elsewhere for stable jobs, and this contract is going to do more to push people away. When that happens, BCCL will rely even more on temp agency staff. It’s just bad for the individuals we serve.”