‘All in the same boat,’ Hamilton workers on strike for weeks in various sectors band together

As a return-to-work specialist for Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), Justin Dailey assists individuals in getting back to work after sustaining injuries. However, Dailey finds himself in a situation where he, along with approximately 3,600 of his colleagues, has been on strike since May 22. Members of the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU), also known as Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1750, initiated the strike due to what they describe as a “toxic” work environment and an inability to reach an agreement with their employer.

The strike escalated when WSIB locked out the workers, prolonging the standoff. Dailey expressed his concerns about the impact of the strike on injured workers who rely on their services, stating, “We care about the quality of work that we provide to our injured workers and we can’t get back to that, and so we’re suffering, the injured workers are suffering. It’s a challenging time.”

Dailey is just one of many workers in Hamilton who have spent the late spring and early summer on picket lines. Other striking workers include those from Hamilton Water, DHL Express Canada, and Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Despite the different reasons for the strikes, there is a sense of unity among the workers. Dailey emphasized the importance of standing together against what he perceives as attacks on workers and unions, stating, “We’re all fighting this systemic kind of attack on unions, but specifically workers.”

Negotiations between OCEU/CUPE 1750 and WSIB have been ongoing, with the union calling for a fair deal by Canada Day. WSIB has offered an above-inflation wage increase and proposed improvements to address workload concerns. Dailey highlighted the importance of fair wages and manageable workloads, as many workers are experiencing burnout due to high caseloads.

Similarly, striking workers from CHS are eager to return to work to provide essential services to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Laura Burrows, a CHS worker for over 20 years, emphasized the impact of the strike on both her colleagues and the community they serve. Despite the challenges, Burrows expressed solidarity among the workers on the picket line, stating, “We’ve become a family here on the picketing line. I’ve had a great amount of support from my colleagues.”

Overall, the strike has brought workers together in a common goal to ensure fair working conditions and quality services for their clients. As negotiations continue, both Dailey and Burrows remain hopeful for a resolution that addresses their concerns and allows them to return to work.