NORTH BAY, ON – A show of solidarity and encouragement is planned for Friday in North Bay in support of children’s aid workers, who are now in the fourth month of their lockout at Nipissing and Parry Sound children’s aid society (CAS).
Locked-out CAS workers, supporters from the community, labour allies and senior union leaders will march to deliver the message of “enough is enough”; speakers at the rally are expected to call on provincial government to take action to end the lockout at Nipissing and Parry Sound CAS.
Frontline workers and administrative and support staff from Nipissing and Parry Sound children’s aid were locked out of their jobs on December 23.
Attending Friday’s event are CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury; CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn; and Dr. Alan Aylett, a North Bay family physician who has been a staunch supporter of the locked-workers. Speakers at the rally will include Fleury and Hahn, as well as CUPE 2049 president Debbie Hill and Henri Giroux, president of the CUPE District Council as well as North Bay and District Labour Council.
Friday’s event takes place against the backdrop of a return to negotiations between the union and the society on Thursday, 30 March – only the fourth time that the parties have met in bargaining since the lockout began.
Who: Children’s aid workers locked out of their jobs by Nipissing and Parry Sound CAS, labour and community supporters, including CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury, CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn and Dr. Alan Aylett MD, North Bay family physician
What: March and rally in support of members of CUPE 2049
When: Friday, March 31, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: The march leaves from CUPE 2049’s lockout headquarters, 409 Main Street West in North Bay, and proceeds along Main Street to North Bay City Hall, 200 McIntyre Street East, with a rally and barbecue to follow in Leger Square
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For more information, contact:
Debbie Hill, President, CUPE 2049, 705-358-5887
Bev Patchell, CUPE Social Services Coordinator, 705-305-6368
Mary Unan, CUPE Communications, 647-390-9839
