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OTTAWA, Ont. – Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 4999 workers who provide administrative support and coordinate appointments for CAREFOR are concerned that the actions of CAREFOR will result in service disruptions as contract negotiations break down.
“We are at a complete loss as to why CAREFOR is treating a small group of predominantly women – many long-time employees – differently than the other groups of workers in this workplace,” said Margaret Whalen, President of CUPE Local 4999.
CAREFOR has completed bargaining with the unions who represent other workers at CAREFOR. The small group of predominantly women who are represented by CUPE Local 4999 have the only contract remaining open. They have not been offered the same provisions made to all the other groups of workers in the workplace. At the last day of bargaining, CAREFOR was still asking for rollbacks in working conditions.
However, CUPE 4999 and CAREFOR Health and Community Services will meet with a provincially-appointed mediator on Monday, July 18 with the aim of reaching a settlement.
CUPE Local 4999 represents 56 employees who provide administrative support and coordinate visits and appointments for visiting nursing, home support, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social workers and dieticians.
“We provide important services to the community and we sincerely believe that we can work together to resolve our differences in order to avoid disruptions to services,” said Whalen. “It is possible because we’ve seen that the other larger groups have resolved their issues and signed fair collective agreements.”
“We’re only asking to be treated like all the other unions at CAREFOR – no more.” Whalen concluded.
CUPE says that, because of the employer’s initiative, a Ministry of Labour-determined strike/lockout date has been set for midnight Sunday, July 24.
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For more information, please contact:
Doreen Beath CUPE National Representative 613-237-0115
Margaret Whalen President, CUPE Local 4999 613-882-8565
Wendy Forbes CUPE Communications 416-292-3999
