OPSEU workers in Ingersoll locked out

Lee Griffi, Editor

Developmental service workers are on the picket line in downtown Ingersoll.

Members of OPSEU Local 172 were scheduled to strike but were told by their employer, Ingersoll Support Services Inc. (ISSI), they were locked out.

After not being able to reach a new agreement with their employer, President of OPSEU Local 172 Ange Hutson said a strike date was set for Monday, May 25 at 1 a.m.

"Our employer forced a vote on us for a final offer, which was defeated with 80 percent of the membership voting no. Within a couple of hours of receiving those results, he informed us that we were going to be locked out that night starting Saturday, May 23 at 12:01 a.m."

Hutson said to date, there have been no negotiations and none are scheduled.

“We’ve had zero communication from them at all. We’re out here until we either receive word from them that they’d like to go to the bargaining table or from Premier Doug Ford saying he’s going to step up and do the right thing here and make it right.”

80 per cent of the union members voted against a final offer from ISSI. The labour disruption is part of a province wide OPSEU campaign called Worth Fighting For campaign. It calls for more provincial funding, fair wages, safe staffing, and stable supports for those with developmental disabilities and their families.

A total of 126 employees are on the picket line in downtown Ingersoll. Hutson explained managers are now working in houses providing 24-hour care and ISSI has also hired scab workers.

“We are severely underpaid. Our funding comes from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. We don’t have a central bargaining table. Others, like the LCBO, do and are able to get their remedy from the government.”

She explained poor wages and benefits are leading to a revolving door of employees.

“We’re finding we have an astounding staff turnover because we are one of the lowest paid agencies around. People are going where the paycheque is higher, where there are benefits or a pension plan, all those things we are missing,” she added.

Hutson said something needs to be done to better retain employees.

“I’ve worked at this agency for 26 years and I have never seen the turnover as bad as it is right now. It hurts the people we support. They have trust issues and can’t thrive as well as they should because people are coming and going and don’t get to know them well enough.”

Ingersoll Support Services Inc. executive director Jayden Nancekivell released a statement after the Echo reached out.

“Throughout this process, (we have) remained focused on reaching a fair and sustainable agreement while ensuring the continuity, stability, and safety of the services it provides. ISSI and the union representing our support staff have been engaged in collective bargaining for the past 14 months. On May 1, the union requested a no board report and triggered the legislative countdown to a legal strike or lockout beginning as early as May 23.”

He added on the afternoon of May 22, the union provided notice that it would begin a strike on May 25.

“However, ISSI had already initiated its contingency plan in preparation for a May 23 labour disruption. ISSI was not able to delay by two days without significant cost to the organization and risk to the health and safety of the people we support. As a result, ISSI finished activating its contingency plan, and the labour disruption began on May 23.”

Nancekivell said the organization’s priority during the labour disruption remains the health, safety, and well-being of the people who rely on our services.

“Essential services are continuing and we are taking all required steps to minimize disruptions to the day-to-day lives of the people we support. We recognize that this is a difficult situation for everyone involved, including our employees, those we support, their families, and the broader community. We remain committed to working towards a resolution and to doing everything we can to mitigate the impacts of this disruption.”

Hutson said her union has tried to meet with Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman but with no success.

“We try but he evades us at all costs. We have been to his office a couple of times but he slips out the back door. He basically will say its not his fight.”

ISSI supports people with developmental disabilities in the community. It provides 24-hour residential support, as well as respite and day supports.