UPDATE: CUPE 2073 to Hold Press Conference on Strike, State of Services for Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing Ontarians at Mayfest

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ontario’s largest celebration of Deaf culture will serve as the backdrop for an update about the ongoing strike by CUPE 2073 members who work at Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Hundreds are gathering for the annual Mayfest expo as workers who support Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians continue to fight to improve services.

The press conference will also be livestreamed: https://www.facebook.com/events/1800144273891382/

WHAT:	CUPE 2073 in-person and virtual press conference on the strike at CHS
WHO:	Yves Dube, CHS Deaf ASL staff person and Member of CUPE 2073
	Fred Hahn, President, CUPE Ontario
	Donald Prong, Executive Director, Deaf Ontario
WHEN:	Friday, May 2 at 12:00 PM
WHERE:	In front of the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
	Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/events/1800144273891382/

Quick Facts:

• CUPE 2073’s members support Ontario’s Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing community as audiologists, employment consultants, counsellors, sign language interpreters and in other roles at Canadian Hearing Services offices across the province.
• They have been on strike since April 28.
• This is the second strike at CHS under the leadership of Julia Dumanian who become CEO of CHS in 2017.
• In that time, workers have seen their wages fall 16% behind inflation while senior management have enjoyed double digit percentage increases
• CHS staff levels have plummeted in recent years, down to roughly 200 from a high of over 500, impacting the quality and depth of services that Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians receive.

:od/COPE491