CANADIAN LABOUR-ONTARIO:

LANARK COUNTY STRIKE SETTLEMENT:

According to the following from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) the strike at the Lanark County Assisted Community Living facility has been settled, and the people involved will soon be back at work. The workers involved achieved at least some gains, but it is uncertain just how much of a victory this is. The following press release, of course, emphasizes the positive in the contract that the workers accepted while taking some well justified swipes at management. Without being directly involved it is hard to tally up the positives and the negatives of the contract that was finally accepted. One thing is sure...I rarely read an union press release about a contract that is anything but 100% triumphalist, unless the final result was a total defeat. In which case it is described as a "partial victory". Here's the announcement, and CUPE has offred their thanks to all those who responded to their appeal for internet solidarity.

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Settlement ends Lanark ACL strike:
A ten week long strike at the Lanark County Community Living Association ended Sept. 10, when CUPE 1521.02 members ratified a two year contract.

The strike began July 4.

The contract expands RRSP coverage to all employees, removes management’s contracting-out proposals and commits management to flow ministry funding earmarked for workers in 2007.

“Everyone is very pleased to be going to back to work and supporting the people who depend on them at Community Living, but none of us are happy about a strike that was forced upon us by a reckless local management.” said CUPE National Representative Doreen Beath.

“Now that the strike is over, CUPE is looking to the provincial government to move quickly on our formal request for an operational review of the local agency’s finances.” said Doreen Beath who noted that CUPE’s call for an operational review was supported by area MPP, Conservative, Randy Hillier. (THAT is significant. Maybe management can cop a plea of temporary insanity-Molly )

“This strike didn’t need to happen,” Beath said, “and is a direct result of the Community Living Board of Directors having surrendered leadership of the agency to an out of control Executive Director.”

Community living workers, members of CUPE 1521.02 provide support and care for adults with intellectual disabilities.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARK COUNTY ONTARIO:

LANARK COUNTY COMMUNITY ASSISTED LIVING STRIKE CONTINUES:

After meeting with the managers of the Lanark Community Living Association Ontario MPP sent them a letter last Friday expressing disappointment in their handling of the strike at the centre involved. Here's the story from the Ottawa Sun, via the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

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Harsh words for management in community living strike:
By TOM VAN DUSEN, Sun Media
CARLETON PLACE — Dissatisfied with results of a recent meeting held with managers of the striking Lanark Community Living service, area MPP Randy Hillier fired off a letter on Friday reminding them that, as “the taxpayer’s representative,” he has an obligation to ensure value for public money invested.

Expressing diminished confidence in management, Hillier said he must also be certain that disadvantaged clients of the service are receiving the necessary care while 92 CUPE workers remain off the job after three months.

Meanwhile, contracts with all other similar associations across the province have been settled.

No progress has been made in bringing the sides together here since mediation talks were held in the dispute about 10 days ago.

Onside with the CUPE position, Hillier said he was disturbed to learn that LCL executive director and chief negotiator Rick Tutt booked medical leave during the labour disruption which “in all likelihood, will insure this strike continues for at least another month.”

“Clearly, prior knowledge that the negotiator would be unavailable for negotiations ought to have elevated the importance to find common ground or other options for community care.”

Hillier has intervened in the stalemate in several ways, including demanding meetings with Tutt and the board, and sending a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty requesting appointment of a provincial trustee to oversee both care of LCL clients and the stalled negotiations.

“I am left wondering how the association justifies receiving full provincial funding, yet (during the strike) only provides limited services to residents of group homes,” Hillier wrote to Tutt and board members.

“There currently is a large segment of clients who are not receiving any mandated services at all, while the cost to the public remains the same.”

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THE LETTER:

CUPE ould like you to send further letters to the management at the Lanark County Assisted Community Living facility. Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter.

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Why are you not respecting your workers’ wishes to have a pension plan that’s available to other ACL workers in the province?

Refusing every no-cost proposal for a pension plan has pushed your workers to the picket line. This will hurt the very people that you are mandated to help.

It’s time for you to show true leadership and respect your workers by offering them a fair contract with a pension plan that will end this strike.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARK COUNTY ONTARIO:

CUPE WITHDRAWS PICKETS FROM LANARK COUNTY GROUP HOMES-STRIKE CONTINUES:

The following from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) tells of how they have withdrawn picket lines from outside group homes managed by the Lanark County Community Living Association. No doubt the bad public image generated by these pickets pretty well required CUPE to pull the picket lines. This, however, leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Strikes at public service workplaces are not like strikes at factories. There is an inevitable third party involved- that part of the public affected by the service that is being delivered. If anything such stokes require a multitude of creative new tactics if they are to succeed. Community outreach is of the utmost importance in such situations, and traditional picket lines are often very much beside the point in whether such strikes are won or lost. This is a humble suggestion, being as the particular situation of certain strikes may make it unrealistic, but the idea of an actual "take-over" of a workplace (once sufficient community links were developed of course) might be an option that would put the onus of continued care on government and management rather than on striking workers. It would depend, of course, and what is happening in Lanark County at the very least points to the need to go beyond "tried and untrue" traditional union tactics. Whatever else one may say it is sure that once one has to depend on politicians that a strike is indeed lost. Here's the story.

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CUPE responds to picket concerns, Hillier pushes for settlement - CUPE to withdraw picket lines from group homes but will keep watch for safety ;
Carleton Place, Ont. – The Canadian Union of Public Employees will withdraw picket lines outside Community Living Association-Lanark County group homes in response to community concerns, said Sid Ryan, President of CUPE Ontario, at a joint news conference today with MPP Randy Hillier, who called for a settlement to the strike.

“We are withdrawing our picket lines in response to the concerns of families and advocates because we feel it’s crucial to be responsive to our community,” Ryan said. “We remain alarmed, however, at the number of questionable incidents we have either witnessed directly or have heard about, so we will continue to keep a watchful eye.”

CUPE has recorded a number of safety concerns since “replacement workers” started doing union members’ jobs in early July. CUPE 1521.02, the union representing 90 striking developmental services workers in Lanark County, has reported these incidents to the agency’s executive director, Rick Tutt, who just dismissed them. CUPE has now brought its concerns directly to the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Member of Provincial Parliament Randy Hillier said he appreciated the union’s move.

“When reasonable people work together, they can find reasonable solutions, and I commend CUPE for leading the way,” Hillier said. “I look forward to seeing the agency following suit, getting back to table and negotiating a settlement. This dispute needs to get settled.”

CUPE thanked Hillier for working to find a solution to the current impasse, and urged the employer to get back to the table for genuine negotiations.

“We thank MPP Hillier for his help getting the two sides back to the table,” Ryan said. “Our priority is making sure the people we support get the care they deserve. Community Living Lanark has to join us now and meet us halfway.”

Members of CUPE 1521.02 have been on strike since early July in an effort to stop the erosion of working conditions and the quality of service delivered to Lanark residents with intellectual disabilities.
Contact:
David Robbins, CUPE Communications

613-878-1431

David Shostal, Executive Assistant to Randy Hillier

613-267-8239

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARK COUNTY ONTARIO:

THE MONEY SEEMS TO BE THERE:

The strike by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1251 against the Lanark County Assisted Community Living drags on even though the money for increased wages seems to have been present all along, and it is certainly been expended at a much higher rate in paying scabs. Here's the story from CUPE.

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Review Community Living Lanark finances:
CUPE Ontario has called for the provincial government to review the finances of Community Living Lanark.

On Thursday, CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan sent a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty, asking for an operational review the agency. Members of CUPE Local 1251.02, who provide crucial services to residents at Community Living Lanark, have been on strike for nearly seven weeks in an effort to secure a pension plan readily available to other community living workers across Ontario. Following a day which featured a strong show of support by fellow CUPE members from across the Greater Toronto Area, the employer has agreed to return to the bargaining table.

In 2007, the Community Living Association-Lanark County had access to $1.40 an hour in provincial funds allocated to address recruitment, retention and labour stability issues in the sector, but chose to only access 50 cents of this money. As well, CUPE has conservatively estimated that Community Living Lanark is spending upwards of 5 times its normal operations to pay for scab labour, essentially using taxpayer’s money to prolong a labour dispute.

“For reasons that are unclear to us, Community Living Association-Lanark County chose not to access all the provincial funding for wage increases it is entitled to, at the same time it’s paying 5 times more for scabs to keep skilled CUPE members off the job,” Ryan said. “We have little choice but to ask the McGuinty government to initiate an operational review of the employer, focused on the financial accountability of the agency’s administration.”

The release of the letter comes on the same day striking workers enjoyed a morale boost in the form of a busload of supporters who came in from across the Greater Toronto Area.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARCK COUNTY ONTARIO:

THEY DIDN'T EVEN DOODLE:

Management at the Lanark County Association of Community Living have finally agreed to bargain with their workers who have been on strike since July 4. As the following article from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) shows, however, they are not quite ready for serious bargaining yet. Read the following,and if you can respond to the workers' appeal for still more messages to the management.

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Lanark ACL's first day of bargaining in five weeks‏:
It's possible they forgot to bring a pen.

In the first day of bargaining between CUPE 1521.01 and Lanark Association of Community Living, management listened all day as the union put new and creative proposals on the table to end the strike that began Jul. 4.

And management negotiators put nothing down on paper. All day.

Meanwhile, management has a hired a contractor to manage replacement workers - at least one of which told the union they were hired on a twelve week contract.

It looks like they're trying to prolong the strike at the expense of some of the county's most vulnerable citizens.

Shame on them.

Please Send them another message. Delete the sample text that's there now and just tell them how badly they're behaving and how it's time for them to end the strike.

Please also use the links below to share this message on Facebook, Twitter and email it to your friends. We've sent them 544 messages so far. Can we double that?

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

CANADIAN LABOUR-ONTARIO:

SCAB LABOUR = BAD LABOUR:

The following item about the ongoing strike at the Lanark County Assisted Community Living in Ontario is from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

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Striking ACL Lanark workers concerned about replacement workers:
Members of CUPE 1521-02, on strike against Community Living Lanark, have expressed great concern over the care their clients are receiving at the hands of replacement workers.

“We have seen things from the picket lines at the residences that concern us,” said CUPE 1521-02 Unit Chair Karen Bowes.

“We have witnessed incidents where replacement workers are not following basic daily routines including behavioural guidelines and health and safety practices,” Bowes said, adding that “one incident involving the inappropriate restraint of an individual with developmental challenges forced striking members to call the police.”

CUPE rep Doreen Beath told the Ottawa Citizen August 5 the two sides were prepared to go back to the bargaining table. But as of publishing, no date had been set.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARK COUNTY ONTARIO:

LANARK COUNTY ACL WORKERS RALLY:

The strike at the Lanark County Association for Community Living continues, and this Wednesday the workers involved plan a rally at the offices of Ontario Social Services Minister Madelaine Meilleur. Here's the callout from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

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Ottawa Rally for Lanark ACL workers:‏
We're holding a rally in Ottawa at the office of Ontario social services minister Madeleine Meilleur:
When
Wednesday, July 29, 12 noon
Where
237 Montreal Road, Ottawa [Google Map]
Why?
Ms. Meilleur is responsible for ACL funding in Ontario. She can fix the issues which underlie the CUPE 1521.02 strike.
If you're in Ottawa or near Ottawa, please come.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARCK COUNTY:

RALLY IN SUPPORT OF LANARCK COMMUNITY LIVING ASSOCIATION WORKERS:

The strike that has been ongoing since July 4 at the Lanark Community Living Association has been mentioned before here at Molly's Blog. Here, from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is an update of a support rally held yesterday for the strikers involved. Also two suggestions as to how you can help the workers involved.

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Support for Lanark ACL workers:
More than 100 CUPE members and others rallied Jul. 14 to support 90 members of CUPE 1521-02, on strike since Jul. 4 at Community Living Association Lanark.
***Send a support message to the local
***Send email to the Lanark Community Living Association board of directors
***CUPE 1521-02 strike photo gallery

National President Paul Moist brought solidarity and support from CUPE members across the country. Moist led the march from the Carleton Place Legion to the agency's nearby headquarters, and served as the chant leader.

Other supporters included CUPE members from other locals, workers from other unions and Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa District Labour Council.

The local hopes to get back to the bargaining table. The employer has hired strikebreakers.

At issue in the strike is the employer's refusal to let their staff join the Multisector Pension Plan. The union argues their proposal wouldn't cost any more money and that staff at other ACLs in Ontario are already part of the plan.

The strikers provide care to people with intellectual disabilities. Their last contract expired on March 31, 2009.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARK COUNTY ONTARIO:

LANARK COUNTY COMMUNITY LIVING WORKERS NOW ON STRIKE:

The following news item and appeal for solidarity is from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Molly has previously blogged about the bargaining situation of these workers, and now they are on strike, and they need your further solidarity.

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Support ACL workers on strike in Lanark County:
90 frontline workers at Community Living Association Lanark County are on strike for a fair contract.

Our employer pushed us into a strike by refusing to offer us a fair deal that includes a pension plan that’s available to other Association for Community Living (ACL) workers across Ontario.
In addition to saying no to every no-cost proposal that we tabled to start a pension plan, management demanded concessions from frontline workers.

We had no choice but to go on strike.

We help people with intellectual disabilities. Unfortunately, they are the ones that will hurt the most from this strike.

Please help us in our struggle to seek a fair contract by sending a message to our employer and tell them – Fairness. It’s not a lot to ask for.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to the bosses at Lanark County.

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Why are you not respecting your workers’ wishes to have a pension plan that’s available to other ACL workers in the province?

Refusing every no-cost proposal for a pension plan has pushed your workers to the picket line. This will hurt the very people that you are mandated to help.

It’s time for you to show true leadership and respect your workers by offering them a fair contract with a pension plan that will end this strike.

CANADIAN LABOUR-LANARK COUNTY:

SOLIDARITY WITH LANARK COUNTY COMMUNITY LIVING WORKERS:

The following story and appeal for online solidarity comes Molly's way via the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

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Help Lanark County community living workers:‏
There are 90 people who help people with intellectual disabilities in Eastern Ontario's Lanark County looking for your support.





The Lanark County ACL's board of directors won't apply for available provincial funding to shore up the association's budget. Instead they're asking for cuts to benefits.





And they're not interested in being part of a pension plan small workplaces can use to give their staff a secure retirement.





A little pressure will help get a deal before the July 2nd strike deadline.





Please email the Lanark County ACL board of directors and encourage them to do everything in their power to reach an agreement with their staff.
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THE LETTER:
Please click on the link above or THIS LINK to send the following letter to the Lanark County ACL Board of Directors.
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Refusing to bargain fairly with your own workers by cutting their benefits and denying them a pension plan that’s available to other ACL workers across Ontario shows a lack of respect for the services these workers provide.





Not taking advantage of available provincial funding to improve working and earning conditions for frontline workers not only hurts workers and the agency, but affects the services provided by your agency.





Why are you risking a strike or a lockout when you should be offering a fair contract so services can continue for people with intellectual disabilities?
I urge you to respect your own workers.
A fair contract will avert a strike.