Picket lines went up at 7:00 a.m. today at Halton Women's Place, 1301 Brant Street in Burlington.

Front line counsellors and support staff, members of the Service Employees International Union Local 1.on, provide services to Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville and Burlington.

Union representative Pansy Donaldson said the workers were forced to go on strike after management yesterday refused to make an offer, or meet face to face with the union, in spite of the best efforts of a government appointed mediator.

Halton Women's Place has offered the workers nothing since the previous contract expired December 31, 2003.

"It is a shameful way to treat these dedicated workers. They must be valued for the work they do," Donaldson said.

In yesterday's provincial budget, the government announced a long over due increase to agencies that provide prevention and early intervention services for children and families at risk.

"There is no excuse for Halton Women's Place not to negotiate with its staff, the money is available. In fact, funding for Community and Social Services will increase by over $1 billion by 2007-08 according to Ontario's new budget. Management must negotiate," Donaldson said.

Rates of pay for counsellors are as low as $37,410 per annum. Counsellors require a university degree in order to qualify for employment.

SEIU Local 1.on is a 40,000 member province wide local union affiliated to the largest union in North America, the 1.6 million member strong Service Employees International Union.