A dozen members of United Steelworkers Local 2020 hit the picket line this morning after talks with their employer, Sudbury Counselling Centre, broke down last week.
Lynne Descary, the staff representative for the 12 workers, said the main issues in the dispute are seniority, job security, and an attempt by management to scrap concessions the union has negotiated over the years in lieu of wage increases.
The workers offer Francophone mental health services through Sudbury Counselling Services. Descary said of the 13 programs impacted by the strike, nine are only offered by Sudbury Counselling Services.
Descary said management has taken more of a hardline stance over the past two years, since a new executive director has taken over. She said workers have only filed 32 grievances over the past three decades, but 30 of those have been filed in the past 18 months.