Canada : Union and Peel Children's Aid return to contract talks eyeing Sept. 17 strike deadline
The union representing workers at Peel Children’s Aid Society (CAS) had some sharp words for the organization heading into contract negotiations Wednesday.
The two sides were returned to
Failed labour talks could impact services at the agency mandated to care and protect children in the community.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 4914 is accusing the organization of trying to line up workers to cross picket lines in the event of a strike.
“We were shocked to learn last week that Peel CAS has been contacting former staff members to offer them extremely large sums of money to cross picket lines,” Local CUPE President Sonia Yung said in a news release.
According to the union, the money being offered to hire workers is far more than it would cost to settle outstanding issues at the negotiating table.
Yung called the agency’s contingency plans “scandalous” and “troubling”.
“In the event that a strike cannot be averted, we will be implementing our contingency plan which will allow us to provide essential child protection services,” said Peel CAS Communications Director Lucie Baistrocchi in an email.
Qualified and experienced supervisors and management staff would respond to urgent situations, she said, adding child and youth safety remains the agency’s primary focus.
The organization is also contacting CAS management in other jurisdictions to assist, she revealed.
“It is our goal to negotiate an agreement that reflects the nature of the work done by our unionized staff and recognizes the reality of limited funding,” said Baistrocchi. The union insisted it is asking for a better, safer working environment and “modest” wage and benefits improvements.
CUPE 4914 represents frontline administrative and support workers at Peel CAS whose contract expired last March 31.