As employees head into day 19 of their strike, there still are no talks slated between Association of Community Living workers here and their employer.
“It’s status quo, there are no talks scheduled,” said Alanna Barr, executive director of the Fort Frances and District Association of Community Living.
While administration continues to run basic programming, the Activity Centre, Treasure Chest, and Good Impressions remain closed while strikers run around-the-clock pickets in front of the Scott Street administrative offices and at their strike headquarters near the ACL housing complex on Hudson Drive.
“They’re doing really well,” said CUPE Local #65 president Gwen Miller. “Morale is really good and people are doing just fine over there.”
“Next week, the teachers–OSSTF–will come out to support us,” added Miller. “From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. next Wednesday and they’ll have something to say I’m sure.”
Talks broke off between the union and administration back on April 30.
Local #65 members are demanding a five percent wage hike in 2001 and 2002 while the ACL is offering only one percent, non-retroactive, this year and 1.5 percent next year.
“There’s been no change, we’ve had no contact whatsoever,” said Miller. “I believe the ball is in their court at this point. It’s status quo.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
