More than 200 child protection workers at Child and Family Services of Grand Erie will be in a strike position as of Oct. 17 if talks break down on Oct. 16.
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The agency executive director, Sally Johnson, said if there is a labor disruption, essential child protection services will continue to be provided.
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“If anyone is concerned about the safety or well-being of a child, they should continue to call us to report their concerns,” Johnson said in an email statement.
After Brant Family and Children’s Services amalgamated with the Children’s Aid Society of Haldimand and Norfolk with Johnson as the director, work has been ongoing to try and harmonize three different collective agreements among the staff.
“Our goal has consistently been to achieve a fair and equitable agreement that values and respects our staff while ensuring the future sustainability of the organization,” she said.
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As of Sept. 25, an impasse was reached on a “small number of issues” and she expected a report would be issued that leaves the union in a strike position.
“We continue to be hopeful that we will reach a deal with CUPE without any labor disruption.”
Jennifer Kirby, the CUPE 7070 president and a community developer with the agency, said the issues involve harmonizing all the workers by asking some to lose benefits or entitlements they already have, such as pay levels and mileage rates.
“We’re trying to find the best way to support our members. Our message is focused around wanting to do right by the families in the communities we serve but we’re worried that’s coming at the expense of our workers’ mental health.
“Cost of living has increased so imposing cuts is putting things out of reach for our workers. We have people taking on extra jobs, just to support their own families and those who are burned out or leaving the field.
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“I don’t want to lose any more of the dedicated workers at CFSGE I don’t want them to have to thing between supporting themselves and supporting the families they work with.”
Along with those doing emergency work, the agency has people who do regular family visits, resource workers, those staffing Early ON locations, and administrative staff.
“Without staff to provide those services, you would see a major impact on how much service and support families would receive.”
The employer and the union will meet again Oct. 16 with a mediator in hopes of reaching an agreement.
@EXPSGamble
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