Posters supporting OPSEU Local 472 workers in downtown Renfrew
Employees of Renfrew County Community Living South are expected to head to the picket line next week.
Shannon Waddell, a long-time Community Living employee and the president of OPSEU local 472, explains that local development service workers have been at the bargaining table for the last two years after their last contract expired in 2024.
The union will begin striking on Monday, May 25th, as part of the province-wide Worth Fighting For campaign, which is calling on the province to properly fund community and social service organizations and provide a retroactive pay increase for wages capped unconstitutionally by Bill 124.
Waddell says the union delivered a strong message to Community Living last year, when 88% of their membership voted unanimously in favour of a strike. They are encouraging families and individuals who rely on their work to join them on the line.
A strike is not an ideal position, and Waddell points out that workers would welcome a fair deal. However, she says that would rely on the Ford government stepping up to fund what are vital services that have an impact across the Ottawa Valley.
We reached out to Community Living Renfrew County South’s Renfrew office for comment but did not receive one ahead of the time of publishing.
(written by Kasey Egan)
