Brantford and Niagara Falls, Ontario—Child protection workers represented by CUPE 7070 and CUPE 2328.1 have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. Joining thousands of social services workers across Ontario, they are part of the Worth Fighting For campaign—a growing, province-wide movement demanding fair wages and renewed investments in public services.
These dedicated workers protect children and support families every day. But after years of underfunding and the wage suppression imposed by Doug Ford’s Bill 124, many are struggling to care for their own families while their agencies fail to meet the needs of their communities. Although Bill 124 was struck down more than 1,000 days ago, the Ford Conservatives still refuse to return the wages that were unlawfully withheld.
“Despite years of staff reductions with gapped positions and attrition, we’re met with constant demands to do more with less. Families and children are falling through the cracks. I am incredibly proud of our members for standing up and saying enough is enough,” said Kathleen Webb, access coordinator and president of CUPE 7070, representing roughly 200 frontline workers and support staff at Child and Family Services of Grand Erie.
“Our communities cannot afford cuts, stagnating wages, short staffing, or burnt-out workers. This work is essential, and it deserves fair pay and respect,” said Michelle Shepstone, president of CUPE 2328 representing 230 frontline workers and support staff at Family and Children’s Services Niagara.
From child protection agencies to developmental services and community mental health providers, social services workers are organizing together through the Worth Fighting For campaign. Led by CUPE and OPSEU members from more than 50 agencies, the campaign calls on the provincial government to restore the funding these services need and the dignity all workers deserve.
“Ask parents of children on the autism waitlist or child protection workers who are forced to warehouse children in motels, and they’ll tell you that our social services are on the verge of collapse. This government has underfunded agencies and disregarded workers, hurting communities for years,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario. “That’s why we have waitlists and workers at food banks. We deserve a better Ontario, and these jobs, good services, and healthy communities are worth fighting for. The years of workers in social services quietly accepting whatever scraps the government hands out are over. We’re ready for a fight.”
The strike votes at CUPE 7070 and CUPE 2328.1 are among dozens happening across the province in the coming weeks, as social service workers prepare for coordinated job action unless the Ford government acts now to fix the crisis in care.
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For more information, please contact:
Jesse Mintz, CUPE Communications Representative
416-704-9642 | [email protected]
:gv/cope491
