Striking Salvation Army workers in for long haul

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Michelle Nash

EMC news - Negotiations remain at a standstill between the union and management at the Booth Centre Salvation Army as the 60 support staff currently on strike mark one month on the picket line.

The unionized employees went on strike on Jan. 6 and as of Feb. 3, the Public Service Alliance of Canada Local 73100 union president Bill Riopelle said negotiations have ground to a halt.

"Both sides are really dug in," he said. "Right now we are just working at gaining all the support we can."

The workers went out on strike over what they call unequal levels of pay in comparison with other shelters across the city. The centre's management presented an offer to the union back in November 2011 which included a 7.5 per cent pay increase over three years, but was turned down by union members.

Riopelle said they are just looking for what is fair. He said the union is looking for a $5-an-hour increase to bring the union in line with what employees at other shelters in Ottawa are paid.

Management claimed in a statement released on Jan. 2 that the costs to run the shelter are different than other shelters, which use volunteers - something that is not an option under the collective agreement with PSAC.

At places like St. Joe's Supper Table in Sandy Hill, volunteers are relied upon to feed as many as 150 people a night.

Manager and volunteer co-ordinator of the program, David Ro, said without his volunteers, the clients who come through the door each night would otherwise go hungry.

Ro is quick to point out how lucky he is to have volunteer support, but the supper table program is just one of the very important programs in the city for the hungry.

"The reason we are here is we are the last place to eat at five," Ro said. "We get people from everywhere - a lot of elderly people who supplement their income by coming here."

He has heard from some of the clients who walk through his doors that in Ottawa, a person can not go hungry because there is a place to eat at any time in the day.

"Is it such a bad thing that there are so many organizations? In my opinion, it is not because everyone has a different schedule," Ro added.

Riopelle said they would welcome volunteer workers, as long as they are not brought in to simply replace unionized staff.

As of Jan. 30, the Salvation Army stated their November 2011 offer is still on the table.

Riopelle said they are simply looking forward to returning to the negotiation table.

"The ball is in their court, but there seems to be no break. We are waiting for them to approach, but we are in it for as long as it takes," Riopelle said.

michelle.nash@metroland.com