The following is a statement from Chris Jackson, Board Chair, Lennox & Addington Interval House
I am issuing this statement on behalf of the Board of Directors to provide some clarity in regards to the withdrawal of services by Lennox and Addington Interval House employees represented by UNIFOR. This is a strike that was commenced by UNIFOR and not a lockout of employees by Interval House.
We are disappointed that our employees chose to commence a strike. We remain committed to the continuation of services for our clients and have implemented a contingency plan that has allowed us to keep LAIH open and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We continue to serve our clients in our transitional housing program while also supporting our outreach clients.
We have heard the concerns that are being voiced over social media, regarding the enhanced security being provided by a security company. This has been necessitated by the picketing strikers that is happening in front of the shelter which has created unnecessary and potentially dangerous exposure for the women and children in the shelter. The security guards are in place to only monitor the cameras and doors for the protection of clients. There is trained staff on site to support the residents, respond to the crisis line and intake new clients.
We have also seen misinformation about the issue of staff members having union representation and this being a contentious issue in bargaining. This is misinformation and is false. LAIH has had a collective agreement with UNIFOR, and its predecessors, for over 20 years and in that time no one has been denied union representation when entitled.
The notion that this strike is about an “insulting offer” being provided by the LAIH is incorrect. The strike is about an impasse being created by the Unifor Local 414 attempting to rewrite a 20+ year old collective agreement and force a resolution of individual employee disputes (despite an established procedure for resolving individual disputes).
As a Board we are deeply disappointed that the Unifor Local 414 and their membership have chosen to withdraw services from our vulnerable clients, but we are committed to resolving the strike action. In the meantime, the safety and security of the women and children at the shelter is and will remain our top priority.
It is our hope that this information will provide a more balanced understanding of the issues at hand and our efforts to maintain services to the vulnerable women and children who access our agency.
Yours Truly
Chris Jackson, Board Chair
On behalf of the Board of Directors Lennox & Addington Interval House