PETERBOROUGH, ON – For years, young people languishing on waitlists have known that all is not right at Kinark Child and Family Services; workers, too, have felt the burden of growing caseloads and shrinking resources. Now, with a resounding strike vote, everyone who cares about the well-being of children and families in Peterborough and Northumberland County should be paying attention.
Members of CUPE 2860 are social workers, child and youth workers, supervised access workers, administrative staff, and others who support children, youth, and families by delivering 24-hour live-in treatment, working in schools, and offering therapeutic services. Last week, more than 70 percent of members participated in a strike vote, with 91 percent of votes cast in favour of a strike.
“In June, we delivered a petition signed by dozens of members asking the Board of Directors to help end this deadlock and ensure workers see a future at this agency. They didn’t even respond. They’ve ignored us and the families and children we support for so long, but they can’t ignore this strike vote,” said Susan Soars, a Child and Youth Worker and President of CUPE 2860. “The young people we support in schools and in our facilities have complex needs. Many have experienced trauma or have had a breakdown in the family. They deserve consistent care from a well-trained worker, not a waitlist. And workers deserve a fair wage at a time of skyrocketing cost of living.”
The agency has struggled with turnover in recent years. With high case counts and pressure to churn through files, comparatively low wages, and a pervasive feeling of disrespect from management, KCFS is seen by many as a stepping stone to better jobs elsewhere. This means that young people are being supported by a rotating cast of new workers, if they are able to get off the waitlist at all.
“We want a meaningful investment in our services so families know they can depend on us and workers know they have a future here. Instead, what we see are ever-higher wages for management. Cathy Paul, the Executive Director, got a nearly $50,000 bump, almost what our members make in a year. That’s not right, and it sends a message that our work doesn’t matter,” said Soars. “Our work does matter. The families we support matter. Our mental health matters. And we know that the people of Peterborough and Northumberland County will be there to help us get a deal that reflects that.”
While the two sides have no dates to return to the table, workers remain hopeful management will offer them a fair deal.
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For more information, please contact:
Robert Murdoch,
CUPE Communications Representative
416-434-3690
