Massey workers end strike

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Pat Chastang, National Representative - Communications

416-709-0501 | chastangp@seiu.ca

Greg Dwulit

905-660-1800 ext. 30 | g.dwulit@seiulocal1.org

Massey workers end strike

Thursday, July 22, 2010

SEIU members at The Massey Centre For Women have ended their 90 day strike and are back at work caring and helping teenage mothers and their babies. Workers voted to approve a new contract that will allow them to move forward on their pay grid after ten years of being locked at the bottom. They will also receive a signing bonus and wage increase. The end of the strike has brought stability back into the lives of workers and those young mothers who reside at the centre. However, underfunding of this valuable community service remains a problem, and affects some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“This is a positive step for Massey Centre workers,” says Sharleen Stewart, President of SEIU Local 1 Canada. “Now that these workers are back performing valuable community services, we hope the provincial government will make a commitment to maternal health and community welfare by increasing funding to this centre.”

Aleema Khan, an employment counsellor at Massey Centre says “It feels great to be back. I can't wait to get back to providing services for the girls, our clients. I'm looking forward to helping the girls with the services they need, and giving them the best support we can. That's why we're here.” Natasha Joseph, a young mother and client at Massey, says everything is getting back to normal at Massey and she hopes for the best for the staff and other clients at the centre.

Workers at the Massey Centre For Women provide important pre- and post-natal services for young mothers and their babies. The Massey centre provides an integral community support.

The son of a Massey worker created a rap song dedicated to the struggle of Massey workers.