Thousands of OPSEU community support workers strike across Ontario

Thousands of community and social service workers across Ontario walked off the job Monday morning to protest against underfunding and understaffing.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members include staff supporting people with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, youth correction and protection, and children and families in crisis.

More than 4,500 OPSEU members at community agencies have issued the strike notice.

“We service several hundred a year throughout the various programs, because we have community-based programs, live in treatment programs, and day treatment programs,” said Tamara Putland, a child and youth worker, and local OPSEU president.

Workers say years of underfunding have left agencies short-staffed, with compensation tied to Bill 124 remaining a key issue.

The June 2019 bill capped annual salary and compensation increases for most provincial public and broader public sector workers at 1 per cent for three years. Workers are demanding retroactive pay from when the union was unable to bargain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are some of the lowest paid workers in the province,” said Putland. “Anywhere from $19 an hour to up to $27-28 an hour. Maybe if you’re a social worker in the $30 an hour range.”

READ MORE: OPSEU warns Ontario social service workers could strike as negotiations stall

OPSEU says many public sector workers have received retroactive pay of 6.5 per cent or more since the bill was ruled unconstitutional, but workers in the community and social services say they are still waiting.

The province says it has made historic investments and expects agencies to have contingency plans.

Locally, the job action includes employees at Community Living Oakville and over 130 employees at the Lynwood Charlton Centre on the Hamilton Mountain.

While the workers are on strike, many families and children in the Hamilton area are impacted.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services told CHCH News in a statement, “while collective bargaining is a matter between the employer and the union, we expect every service provider to have strong contingency plans to protect residents and ensure their case is never disrupted.”

Workers argue backup plans can’t replace experienced frontline staff, and say they still hope a deal can be reached.

The union says they are currently at the bargaining table with the employer, but they will remain on strike until they hear back from the Ford government.

READ MORE: Niagara Parks workers set to strike next week for fair wages