CCAC Workers Striking

Saturday, 31 January 2015 at 08:09

3000 community care coordinators are on strike after negotiations for wage increases failed during mediation.

If you cannot see the video, click here to view

WOODSTOCK - 3000 Community Care Access Centre community coordinators are on strike after negotiations over wage increases with mediators failed. CCAC coordinators at 10 of the provinces 14 CCACs have been without a contract since March of 2014. South West CCAC Bargaining Unit President Caroline McWhinney says they are asking CCAC for wage increases equal to that of hospital nurses, "We're looking for wages that would be respectful and fair-- we're asking across the board ONA bargaining units and long-term care hospital nurses have all recieved what we consider a fair wage increase and that's an increase on the grid on a yearly basis."

60 Community care coordinators are on strike at the Woodstock CCAC site at the Woodstock Hospital. CCAC shutdown their Woodstock location on Friday during the strike and bussed other staff members to their London office on Dundas street.

McWhinney said the strike can affect services, "We did not want to withdraw our services, we care deeply for our patients, but unfortunately people won't be assessed for services when they are being discharged from hospital whether they've had surgery, even patients--frail, elderley people, people won't be able to get into long-term care homes."

9 of 10 CCAC voted in favour of striking after wage negotiations broke down after nearly two weeks of being at the table.

Across Ontario CCAC community care coordinators represented by the Ontario Nurses Association have begun picketing. The strike is affecting client services for some.

patient discharged from hospital yesterday suppose to have HOMEcare today had to go out to CherryHill community clinic due to CCAC strike
— The Crazy Lady (@thecrazylady01) January 31, 2015

South East CCAC @ontarionurses Assoc members on strike in Brockville #picketlineselfie pic.twitter.com/yiYHe5Jmgz
— Andy Summers (@andysummers) January 30, 2015

Central East CCAC is focused on the safety and well-being of patients during the labour disruption http://t.co/gDPGS4ZNVU
— Central East CCAC (@CECCAC) January 30, 2015