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MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Two strikers, members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 966, were hit while picketing the Region of Peel offices in Brampton this morning by cars refusing to stop and wait the legally-designated time to enter Regional property.
Three units of CUPE Local 966 are striking against the Region demanding equitable pay and a fair contract. Ontario Works Human Services went on strike May 3, Public Works struck the Region on June 4, and Transhelp went on strike June 10.
A young woman, the daughter of a bargaining team member from Ontario Works Human Services, was sent to hospital by ambulance after being hit by a car reportedly driven by a former mayor of Brampton.
The other victim, a male, was hit by a Region of Peel employee. Fortunately, while he suffered minor injuries, he did not require hospitalization.
“This is absolutely unacceptable behavior by people who should know better,” said Mary Jo Falle, president of CUPE Local 966. “We are legally within our rights to hold people entering Region of Peel property for up to 15 minutes; we have agreed to a protocol with the Region to only hold entrants for seven minutes. Running down innocent citizens exercising their legal and democratic rights is appalling. We expect charges to be laid on these occasions.”
This is not the first time strikers have been hit on Local 966 picket lines.
“Last week, at least two of our Public Works’ members were hit when people refused to wait the legally-imposed, seven-minute wait period,” said Michel Revelin, vice-president of CUPE Local 966. “As far as we know, the police are investigating all these incidents, but that is not enough.
“The strikes must end and the Region must give us what they have given other CUPE locals in the Region and given themselves. Non-union members and management have received a 2 per cent raise, with the ability to earn up to 7.5 per cent performance bonuses. Our members aren’t eligible for performance increases, but we should be given what the other employees have received.”
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For more information, please contact:
Mary Jo Falle, President, CUPE Local 966 (289) 233-3714
Michel Revelin, Vice-President, CUPE Local 966 (416) 822-3779
Helen Manning, CUPE National Representative (905) 568-4664
Wendy Forbes, CUPE Communications (416) 892-8716
