Members of Macdonald Youth Services – Crisis Stabilization (Local 221) rejected a settlement offer tonight and have voted in favour of strike action.
The Committee has been at the bargaining table for over two years and it was just this past spring that they were finally assured by the previous government that a funding mandate had been approved which included wage increases for these workers.
Since the new government has been in place, no monetary offer has been forthcoming. The Committee gave the employer a deadline of Friday, May 27, 2016 to present a reasonable monetary offer and when the deadline passed, they made the decision to go to the membership for a vote.
“These are the professionals who respond when a young person is in crisis and their parents or care givers are no longer able to adequately cope with the situation,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “Tonight, these members sent a clear message to their employer and the government. They provide a critical service in our community and it’s important that this government honour its commitment to these workers.”