16 workers affected by bargaining
Workers in Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 355 at Morton House in Barrie, Ont., gave the bargaining team a 100 per cent strike mandate after a vote Jan. 23.
"We haven't seen any significant wage increases since about 2002," said Steve Young, bargaining team chair. "And almost all of us — full-timers included — have second and third jobs just to get by."
The employer is refusing any increase for full-time staff, and the increase proposed for part-time workers will do little to address the problem of high turnover in those positions, said the union.
Management recently completed renovations, including a $600 faucet and new leather couches. "It's a bit rich, for an employer to cry poor while throwing money at over-the-top renovations." said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president.
Morton House employs 16 workers: nine full-time, seven part-time. The home provides open custody support for male young persons, ages 12-17, who are in trouble with the law.
