Jeanne Sauvé Family Services workers ratify contract

KAPUSKASING, ON, May 12 /CNW/ - Staff with Jeanne Sauvé Family Services have ratified a new, three-year contract following a tentative deal that was reached during conciliation talks last month.

"We are satisfied with this agreement and look forward to continuing our work on behalf of children and young people at-risk in northeastern Ontario," said Barb Hutchings, president of Local 639 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union representing 80 Jeanne Sauvé workers in Kapuskasing, Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst, Timmins, Val Rita and Moonbeam.

The settlement followed a series of demonstrations in several communities organized by the workers to protest the agency's $211,000 operating deficit that led to job layoffs and cuts to programming.

The demonstrations were supported by many in the affected communities. Kapuskasing town council passed a resolution supporting the workers and called on the Minister of Children and Youth Services Minister Laurel Broten to eliminate the operating deficit and to restore long-term sustainable funding to the agency.

For further information: Cindy McQuarrie, OPSEU Staff Representative, 1-800-268-7376