CUPE calls on province to end lockout at CAS

CUPE which represents the locked out workers at the local Children’s Aid Society are calling on the province to step and end the dispute which is over 4 months old.

Infact, they say the province should dissolve the CAS board.

CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn says the length of the lockout is affecting people who need high quality services from dedicated child welfare workers.

He says there have been no tragedies as a result of CUPE employees not doing their jobs because they’ve been locked out.

He says the Minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Coteau must take action before something bad does happen.

He says it’s the minister’s responsibility to do something for the sake of the workers and the communities who depend on the CAS.

He says the CAS has proved itself incapable of completing a collective agreement.

Yesterday, in a release the CAS said the union isn’t budging on the Sick Leave Benefit and refused to consider any sort of compromise.

After their news conference the CUPE members marched to North Bay City Hall and held a rally.