Despite facing tough times, this Holiday Season, members of CUPE 4772 have plenty to celebrate
TORONTO, ON – With the New Year fast approaching, the employees, who make the San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRRA) a vital part of the Jane-Finch community, are celebrating more than just the holidays this December 4.
The workers, members of Local 4772 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 4772), are also celebrating a landmark ruling from the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) that affirmed SRRA employees’ rights to assemble, form a union, and bargain collectively.
“We received the ruling back in end of May, but we’ve been so busy, we haven’t had an opportunity to sit down with our members and supporters and actually celebrate the ruling,” said Farid C. Partovi, President of CUPE 4772.
“With that in mind, we’ve decided to make our annual holiday party into a bit of a celebration of our members’ achievement during 2015.
The OLRB ruling found that SRRA management improperly disciplined and terminated members who were perceived by management to be ‘ringleaders’ and had inappropriately tried to influence staff from joining the union.
“The ruling was two years in the making, and this is going to be our first opportunity to really savour this victory,” said Partovi.
The union also invited other community allies to join them for the celebration, especially the youth who were affected by SRRA’s unilateral decision to cancel Palisades Media Arts Academy, a popular youth program in the Jane-Finch community. Unfortunately, the academy has not been reopened.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of the youth and other allies in the Jane-Finch community and across the city. That’s why we’re so thrilled to have them be a part of our celebrations,” he added.
CUPE 4772 represents workers at SRRA, Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre, Jamaican Canadian Association and Doorsteps Neighborhood Services.
For more information, please contact:
Farid C. Partovi
CUPE 4772 President
416-835-8296
Kevin Wilson
CUPE Communications
416-821-6641
