BURK’S FALLS, ON – In a show of solidarity and support for child protection services in East Parry Sound, workers locked out of their jobs by the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound will hold a march and rally in Burk’s Falls on Friday.
Debbie Hill, president of Local 2049 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents locked-out workers at the society, said she and her colleagues “wanted residents in the district of East Parry Sound to know that we are defending their right to the best-quality child protection services.”
In 2015, Nipissing and Parry Sound CAS closed its children’s aid office in Burk’s Falls, but re-opened it last year in response to pressure from sources, including CUPE, who were concerned that services for local families were suffering. For example, during the period the Burk’s Falls office was closed, children in the care of children’s aid were forced to have visits with their families in a detachment office of the Ontario Provincial Police.
Who: Locked-out child protection workers and administrative and support staff of the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound and community supporters
What: Rally and solidarity march in support of families, youth and children who rely on children’s aid services in Burk’s Falls
When: Friday, January 6, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 11:00 a.m.: gathering at Burk’s Falls Village Office, 172 Ontario Street, Burk’s Falls and march through town of Burk’s Falls along Ontario and Huston streets
11:30 a.m.: rally and picket at the local office of the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound, 150 Huston Street, Burk’s Falls (Almaguin Highlands Health Centre)
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For more information, contact:
Debbie Hill, President, CUPE 2049, 705-358-5887
Fran Bélanger, CUPE National Representative, 705-262-3909
Mary Unan, CUPE Communications, 647-390-9839
