Strike, lockout possible for Radius Child and Youth Services employees

Employer, OPSEU scheduled to meet with mediator on Nov. 9

OPSEU Local 511 child treatment workers at Toronto’s Radius SAFE-T (Sexual Abuse: Family Education and Treatment) could be locked out on Nov. 12.

The employer applied for a No Board Report, a report issued by a conciliator if it appears the parties are not ready to agree on a collective agreement. The No Board Report could also lead to a strike, as OPSEU members gave the union’s bargaining team a 100 per cent strike mandate in June.

The parties are scheduled to meet with a mediator on Nov. 9 to attempt to reach a settlement.

Nineteen social workers, psychometrists and administrative staff members are represented by OPSEU Local 511. According to the union, the work is difficult and stressful.

“It is no surprise the workers gave such a strong strike mandate,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “This is another example of a good public program being downloaded and the workers and clients being made to suffer.”

OPSEU members are currently covered by the previous collective agreement, which expired on Dec. 31, 2014. Bargaining for a new agreement started in December 2014. After 11 days of negotiations, the parties reached an impasse. The employer applied for a No Board Report following the parties’ second day of conciliation.

According to the union, the employer is calling for a wage cut of 1.5 per cent and hikes in premiums for existing benefits.

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