Niagara Parks workers set to strike next week for fair wages

Niagara Parks employees, members of OPSEU Local 217 Niagara Falls, will be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on May 28 as they demand fair wages.

Members of this union have been without a contract since Oct. 31 of last year.

Local 217 President Mike Goforth says his membership is finding it increasingly difficult to pay rent and basic living expenses due to the cost of inflation, high gas and food prices.

Officials of OPSEU Local 217 Niagara Falls accuse the Ontario Government’s Treasury Board of holding up negotiations but did not say how talks have been affected.

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The nearly 850-person union is a mix of full-time, part-time and seasonal workers overseeing about 56 kilometres of attractions in the Niagara region.

Roles include retail staff, maintenance workers, park guides and chefs.

On May 9, members of this union had a one-hour information picket in Niagara, which 120 members attended. This received attention from local media and a visit from MPP Wayne Gates.

This potential strike is taking place before the summer tourist season begins, recognizing the importance of their work not only for Niagara Parks and tourism, but also the effect of a potential strike for many hotels and restaurants in the region.

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