Management at the Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie Motherhouse is making some serious claims about incidents that have occurred leading up to the start of a strike which began early Monday morning as personal support workers walked off the job.
“On the evening of Friday, November 18, 2016, it was discovered that someone had intentionally turned off the gas to St. Joseph’s on the Lake seniors’ apartments,” management stated in a news release.
Management also claims the level of water pressure to both the apartment building and the Motherhouse was increased to a level that would increase the likelihood of a burst pipe.
On top of that, they say SEIU picket line has been unpleasant.
“Non-unionized staff and managers have been delayed at the picket line, in some instances, for over an hour and harassed by picketers when they attempted to come to work. These staff are not on strike. One manager has been threatened and informed she would not be permitted to enter the property,” stated management in a release.
“Suppliers have been delayed and threatened when they attempted to enter the property to make delivery of food and medical supplies for our Sisters.”
SEIU Union officials say the key points are contract language and wages. The workers here have been working without a contract since 2015.
Earlier in the day, the Union officials seemed upbeat on the picket line but that changed when they found out about the management’s press release.
Joe Buote, SEIU Service Manager, says the union is shocked and disappointed with the allegations.
“To throw out allegations of intentional sabotage is slanderous and libelous and in no way would we support or condone anything of that nature and under no circumstances has that happened.”
Buote admits there has been some tension on the line between one manager and the union which led to a long delay.
