Tentative agreement reached for workers at Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services

SCARBOROUGH, ON, Oct. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - Hours before the 12:01 a.m. strike deadline, 48 workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) in Local 518 reached a tentative deal with Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services (SAFSS).

"We are so thrilled and proud of our members for persevering through these 18 months of negotiations, and we thank them for their tenacity," said Local 518 bargaining chair Valentina Khoudiakova. "They all stood strong, and they made it happen."

Details of the contract, Local 518's first as members of OPSEU, cannot be released until it is ratified. However, the bargaining team says it unanimously recommends that members accept the contract at the ratification vote on October 26.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said he is elated for OPSEU members in Local 518.

"That was one of the tougher rounds of negotiations I've seen," he said. "It makes me all the prouder of the bargaining team that persevered and fought for what they knew the workers deserved."

"The bargaining team's work is a reflection of both the members' regard for the services they provide and the clients who rely upon them."

OPSEU members at SAFSS provide a variety of services for recent immigrants, including language and skills development, newcomer settlement services, and childcare.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Valentina Khoudiakova, 905-889-6512, or Roz Gunn, A/Communications Officer, OPSEU, 416-708-7390