Children’s Aid Workers (CAS) were back at work on May 2 at Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County.
The CUPE local 4325 bargaining team and management came to an agreement on April 27.
Union members ratified the deal in a 70 per cent affirmative vote at noon on April 28 and the board of directors ratified the deal later that night.
“I think that’s because the bargaining team worked hard to get an agreement … that was as fair as possible and we worked with the mediator who was instrumental in us reaching an agreement,” said local union president Cathy Thomas.
CAS workers had been without a contract since March 2015 and had been striking since April 11. The workers were looking for equality and fairness in their new contract with regards to wages and benefits.
“This one will expire March 31, 2018, so we’ve got a three-year agreement,” Thomas said. “We’ll be back at this in another year and a half.”
Though she wasn’t able to share details of the contract, she said the final deal was less than what the union was asking for, but more than what management originally offered.
“We are the ones that work with the children and the families and we take that very seriously and we are anxious to return back to work and meet the needs,” Thomas said.
Management officials agreed.
“Our staff deliver valuable services in Guelph and Wellington County and they have been missed by the children, youth and families they work with, as well as by their managers,” Family and Children’s Services executive director Sheila Markle said in a press release.
The local union represents 130 social service workers providing ongoing support and services to about 450 families, assisting 150 to 200 children in the agency’s care, working with 74 foster families, and handling 25 to 50 walk-ins per day.
