MEDIA ADVISORY - Brockville Mental Health Centre workers rally for better pay in post-Bill 124 climate

BROCKVILLE, ON , Aug. 30, 2023 /CNW/ - Brockville Mental Health Centre workers will be holding a rally on September 6^th to fight for better wages as they head into interest arbitration with their employer, following the wage cap Bill 124 being declared "void and of no effect" by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

The members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 439 began bargaining in January 2023 but have since been unable to make progress on wage negotiations, largely due to their employer's unwillingness to bargain beyond the 1% wage cap the workers were previously restricted by under Bill 124.

Chronically low wages have negatively impacted recruitment and retention at Brockville Mental Health Centre, resulting in extremely heavy workloads and high rates of burnout for the hospital's workers. The 230 mental health care workers include psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, vocational therapists, recreational therapists, RPNs, service and clerical workers, and many more.

Speakers at the rally will include OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell, Mental Health and Addictions Division Chair Ed Arvelin, Hospital Professionals Division Chair Sara Labelle, Region 4 Regional Vice-President Melissa Coenraad, and former National President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) James Clancy.

Cynthia (Cindy) Ladouceur, OPSEU/SEFPO Mental Health and Addictions Division Executive and Local 439 bargaining team member, will be available to speak with the media.

DATE: Wednesday, September 6

TIME: 11:30 a.m.

LOCATION: 1831 Oxford Ave, Brockville, ON (rally at baseball field ? intersection of Brockville & Oxford)

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union/ Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) represents approximately 180,000 workers across Ontario. OPSEU/SEFPO members work in a wide range of public services including the Ontario Public Service (OPS), colleges and universities, correctional institutions, health care, social services, the LCBO, and many more. Learn more at opseu.org 

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)