OPSEU 358, Community Living Trent Highlands reach deal after 11 week strike

An agreement has been reached between OPSEU 358 and Community Living Trent Highlands after 11 weeks of striking.

The strike saw more than 4,500 staff across the province strike across different sectors, including Children’s Aid and juvenile detention, as part of the Worth Fighting For campaign.

The main objective of the campaign was to have a wage increase and ensure there are no layoffs. While not all details have been released, the deal made includes wage increases of 10 per cent over the next three years.

“The coordination and steadfast resolve of these members are what got us to this point. Together these workers have raised the floor for wages that we expect to see replicated and built upon across the province,” said JP Hornick, OPSEU president in a press release.

“The main feeling is one of gratitude and excitement to be able to have the full-time staff back, and to open the programs that we sadly had to pause for those weeks of the strike,” said Teresa Jordan, executive director of Community Living Trent Highlands.

“This is more than a job to these workers. The people they support are like family and they miss them dearly,” said OPSEU first vice-president Laurie Nancekivell, noting that OPSEU 358 is only of two locals to reach a deal, and strikes ae continuing in other communities.

“The final agreement really did focus on a further enhancement to wages. Our shared hope is that with an increased wage, that will also help our retention and recruitment,” Jordan said, noting that no new funding has come from the government for these increases.

In a joint statement posted on Facebook Community Living Trent Highlands and OPSEU 358 said an agreement has opened up a new path forward focused on reconciliation and renewed strength. “Both parties remained focused on the continuity of care for supported individuals. We recognize the impact this has had on our community, and we are grateful for the patience and understanding shown to us throughout.”

Works officially returned back on Aus. 10 and Jordan said everyone is looking forward to getting operations running back to normal. “This is the beginning of the next chapter for us, and we are anxious to get things open, to continue to welcome people back and move forward.”