Unifor Serves Strike Mandate To Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board

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Unifor support workers at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board voted overwhelmingly to support a strike, putting 370 office, clerical workers and technicians, and custodians and maintenance staff in a legal strike position as of 12:01am on Monday, October 17th.

“The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board has been given every opportunity to seek a resolution,” said Deb Tveit, Assistant to the Unifor National President. “Our members have been working without a contract for over two-years now and, as of today, the Board isn’t even coming to the negotiating table.”

The strike mandate was authorized with votes of 92% by the office, clerical and technician unit and 100% by the custodial and maintenance unit.

“Wages have been frozen since 2012, and now the Board is seeking to retroactively claw back prior gains,” said Unifor National Representative Darlene Prouse. “Our members have had enough, it’s time for fairness.”

Unifor says they have been in ongoing talks to secure a new collective agreement, the strike vote was held after negotiations came to an impasse. Both bargaining units have been without a contract since August 31st, 2014.

“Our members do not contemplate strike action lightly,” said Bruce Dickie, President of Unifor Local 2458. “We are appreciative of the impact a potential strike may have on students and parents. This is the last available resort in our effort to pursue reaching a fair and reasonable agreement.”