NDP Labour Critic to Join CUPE 5525 Members on Their Picket Line on Thursday

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thursday July 17^th is the 8^th week of picketing for CUPE local 5525. To mark the occasion the 24 racialized Personal Care Workers of CUPE 5525 are excited to welcome NDP Shadow Minister for Labour Jamie West, and Michelle Campbell, President of CUPE 1734 to their picket line. The workers have been on the picket lines since May 28^th after the employer tabled a proposal which offered no benefits for the part time members of the bargaining unit, and significant reduction on sick-day provisions.

"Federal workers are now protected by anti-scab legislation which makes it illegal for federally regulated employers to use replacement workers during a strike or lockout,” said Jamie West, NDP Shadow Minister of Labour. “The Ontario NDP has tabled legislation to ban the use of scab-labour over a dozen times, only to have the proposal voted down by successive provincial Liberal and Conservative governments. Because of Doug Ford, Ontario still does not have anti-scab legislation for workers in our province, and the 24 striking members of CUPE 5525 at Villa Columbo are being disrespected everyday their employer brings in scabs. I am ashamed of the way these workers are being treated in 2025.”

“Villa Colombo continues to choose confrontation over compassion. These striking workers have devoted years, some decades, caring for residents with dignity and dedication. Bringing in scabs hasn’t solved their crisis, it’s created one’ added Michelle Campbell, President of CUPE Local 1734. “When employers bring in scabs instead of settling things fairly, they make one thing clear: staff trusted to care for seniors can be discarded the moment it becomes inconvenient. CUPE 1734 unequivocally condemns Villa Colombo’s actions and demands they return to the table with a fair deal for CUPE 5525 members.”

The members of 5525 will hold a media availability at 11:30 at their picket line outside 3050 Dufferin Street in Toronto on Thursday, July 17^th.

What: Media Availability
Who:

1. The striking workers of CUPE 5525 at Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Supportive Housing Unit
2. Jamie West, NDP Shadow Minister of Labour
3. Michelle Campbelle, President of CUPE 1734

When: July 17^th 2025 at 11:30 AM
Where: 3050 Dufferin St North York, ON M6B 4G3

:pp/cope491