ACL, employees at stalemate

Talks are off as members of CUPE Local #65 continue to picket three Fort Frances and District Association of Community Living sites here.
The employees hit the picket lines last Friday morning after talks fell apart April 30 when a mediator was unable to help the two sides agree on a wage increase for the union members.
Local #65 is demanding a five percent hike in 2001 and 2002 while the Association of Community Living is offering only one percent, non-retroactive, in 2001 and 1.5 percent in 2002.
“There’s a basis for what we’re asking,” CUPE Local #65 president Gwen Miller said Thursday. “We’re 25 percent underpaid compared to people who do the same job in institutions and schools.
“It’s a pretty sad wage when you’re caring for people’s lives completely,” she added.
The Treasure Chest, Access Centre, and Good Impressions Printing are closed but administration is running core programs for its clients.
“No it’s not business as usual,” executive director Alanna Barr admitted Thursday morning. “Some clients are not participating in the programs that are closed.”
Both sides in the strike are hoping the other will change their offer.
“We’re waiting, there are no talks scheduled,” said Barr.
“Our plan is to stay out until we get a better deal than what they gave us,” said Miller. “The strike continues. We’re not prepared to move off our position.”