Strike at Canadian Hearing Society office

Unionized staff of the local Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) picketed outside their workplace Monday during a provincewide strike against their employer.

The society’s eight employees paced the sidewalk in front of the Reid Street office, wearing signs asking for respect and to protect CHS services.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2073, the union representing the society’s employees, walked out of negotiations with CHS on Sunday night, declaring a strike. The two parties have been working on a collective agreement since mid January, but haven’t been able to settle on a contract.

As a result, the local CHS is temporarily closed. Some offices in other cities are still offering services.

Adam Coones, a CUPE national representative, said Local 2073 hasn’t had a contract in more than four years.

“They haven’t seen any wage increases, they’ve been asked to take concessions on their health benefits, and they don’t feel it’s fair,” said Coones.

More than 230 unionized employees across the province are on strike.

CHS offers programs and services to about 36,000 deaf and hard of hearing Canadians in Ontario, Coones said.

The union is ready to go back to the table, Coones said, but is willing to stand its ground for a fair deal.

“They’ll stay out as long as they have to ... they want to make sure (clients) get the services they deserve,” he said.

Anna McIntosh is a hearing care counsellor with CHS. She’s worked for the non-profit organization for 20 years.

“This is a very sad day for all of us. We’ve never been in a position like this before,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh wore a sign asking for respect for workers and the deaf and hard of hearing community as she marched in solidarity with fellow CHS staffers.

She said workers want to get back to their jobs, so they can continue to serve the community.

After four years without a contract, McIntosh said employees were pushed to the point of striking when a deal couldn’t be met.

“In all my history of working here, it’s never come to this, so it says something about the state that we’re in right now,” she said.

JESSICA NYZNIK/EXAMINER Anna McIntosh, left and Maria Shuwera, unionized employees of the Canadian Hearing Society, picket outside their workplace on Reid Street on Monday. CUPE Local 2073 declared a strike Monday after nearly two months at the bargaining table with their...