Sonia Yung say she knows exactly how the locked out workers at the Nipissing and Parry Sound Children’s aid society feel.
Yung, the president of Local 4914 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), led her members through a difficult 13-week strike at Peel CAS, where unionized employees returned to work on December 19.
“Our local went on strike for very similar reasons, we identified workload as a serious concern we identified respect in a unionized environment and our unions bargaining team as a serious concern and from what I understand this employer is just as disrespectful as our employer was,” stated Yung this morning at the CUPE headquarters on Foran.
The workers went on strike on December 23rd with sick time and workload the key stumbling blocks pointed out by both sides.
See that story here: Workload and sick days key in Children's Aid Society Christmas lockout
Yung walked the picket line today and visited other locked out workers in Parry Sound on Thursday.
She says the timing of the lockout is simply horrific.
“I don’t know how humane it is to lock people out right before Christmas, especially if you are a social service agency that is committed to the welfare and well being of children and families - your workers have children and families,” said Yung.
Yung joined CUPE 2048 union officials at a general membership meeting last night.
“Sister Sonia Yung knows so well what we are going through in our communities. It means much to us that she has travelled north to share with us the benefit of her commitment and experience,” said Debbie Hill, president of CUPE 2049, which represents some 140 locked-out workers at Nipissing and Parry Sound CAS.
Hill says no dates have been set for further negotiations.
"Unfortunately the employer has not been in contact to set any dates," stated Hill.
"We met in conciliation, the union asked for further dates in the new year but the employer refused. The union is ready anytime to get back to the bargaining table to try and work out a resolution. We are concerned that the employers use of 'scab labour' is going to prolong the lockout."
BayToday attempted to contact management today but did not get a reply by publication time.
