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Union calls on employer to return to the bargaining table. Now.
Carleton Place, ON A CUPE member was the victim of a hit and run on the picket line Monday night.
CUPE Local 1521-02 is on legal strike against the Community Living Association Lanark County. The members were picketing the employer’s head office when a truck forced its way through the picket line. The driver threatened to run people over if they didn’t move, witnesses said. Then he accelerated, struck the CUPE member with his vehicle and drove off without stopping.
The driver of the vehicle was hired by Community Living Association Lanark to cut the grass. The agency executive director was on-site when the incident occurred. The union has contacted the police and an investigation is ongoing.
Community living workers have been on strike since July 4 to protect the quality of service delivered to Lanark residents with intellectual disabilities.
We have zero tolerance for these kinds of intimidation tactics, says Karen Bowes, Unit Chair of CUPE 1521.02. These are human beings on the picket lines who have to look after their families at the end of the day, so a little respect goes a long way.
The CUPE member received medical attention for an injured arm and wrist. She continues to have pain and discomfort.
We were lucky, but there was no need for this kind of incident, Bowes says. Can we just get back to the bargaining table before anything else like this happens?
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Contact:
Karen Bowes CUPE 1521.02 Unit Chair 613-264-7890
Doreen Beath CUPE National Representative 613-552-6826
David Robbins CUPE Communications 613-878-1431
