CUPE Ontario Comes Out in Force to Support Striking CUPE 5525 Members at Villa Colombo

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Over one hundred CUPE members from around the GTA gathered outside the Villa Charities owned property at the corner of Dufferin and Lawrence Avenue West to bolster the picket line of CUPE 5525. The 25 members of CUPE 5525 have been on strike since the 28^th of May after negotiations to secure their first collective agreement broke down. Villa Colombo hired scab replacement workers and did not engage with the union’s bargaining team for weeks.

The bolstered picket line blocked all points of entry for vehicle traffic onto the property to disrupt the daily operations of Villa Charities various operations on the site. The bolstered picket line runs from 7:30 to 11:30 AM to have maximum impact on the Villa Charities morning operations. Regular picketing activities will resume in the afternoon.

“We are putting Villa Colombo and Villa Charities on notice that continued disrespect to these striking workers will not be tolerated. CUPE 5525 has the full support of all 230,000 CUPE Ontario members,” said Yolanda McLean, Secretary Treasurer of CUPE Ontario. “These members are ready to negotiate a fair contract and get back to serving the community they love but today is a reminder that we are also ready and able to ramp up the pressure if needed.”

The employer has agreed to a bargaining date on July 29^th, and the two sides are preparing to return to the table to try and find an end to this labour disruption. Key issues on the table include sick day provisions and benefits for part time staff members.

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