Choices for Youth workers on strike in clash over collective agreement
'We are ready, willing, and able to go back to the table,' says NAPE president
Unionized workers at Choices for Youth in St. John's have gone on strike while trying to negotiate their first collective agreement.
The impasse between the charity and some of their employees came to a head Tuesday morning when the workers, who are part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, hit the picket line.
Nine members who work at the Lilly — a 14-unit congregate-living supportive housing centre for youth operated by Choices for Youth on Bond Street — are part of the strike action, with the primary picket line happening on Duckworth Street in downtown St. John's.
On Thursday the members voted 100 per cent in favour of striking. The members voted to join NAPE nearly two years ago.
"They deal with some of the most vulnerable in our population, the youth in the metro area and across the province," said NAPE president Jerry Earle, who was on the picket line Tuesday morning. "They've been doing this through the entire pandemic while the management team was able to work remotely."
Earle said non-unionized workers have had a pay increase but his members haven't.
"These workers are very motivated. They'd much prefer to be inside the facility right now doing the work, but they know this is an absolutely essential thing to do," said Earle. "There's just nine workers, but we have about 30, 40 people here this morning in front of Choices for Youth in support of these workers."
Earle said Choices for Youth has "made no effort" to contact the union.
Support from former resident
Jessica Wall, who lived at the Lilly for five years, joined workers on the picket line Tuesday to show support.
"It was major in the development for me. It was major for my healing from my childhood traumas and my adolescent traumas," she said. "During my stay there, the staff did phenomenal work. They helped me with my mental health and navigate getting diagnoses."
Wall said the Lilly felt like the first place she could call home, where she was wanted and belonged. She said the staff was always understanding and went above and behind in turning the facility into a home and not just a shelter.
"I really attribute their work to me staying alive," she said. "Without the staff there I honestly don't think I would have made it through my 20s and be here today."
Continued support
Chelsey MacNeil, director of education, employment and social enterprise with Choices for Youth, said the organization respects the right of their employees to take job action.
MacNeil said the focus of Choices for Youth is on the continued care of the 14 young people currently staying there. She said management has stepped in to provide support while the labour dispute continues.
As for the disagreement over increased wages, MacNeil said Choices for Youth did offer the nine union members the same compensation.
"We did so respecting the bargaining process and we offered that at the bargaining table," she said.
In a media release sent Thursday, Choices for Youth management said talks have been ongoing for almost a year. MacNeil said the organization is willing and committed to going back to the bargaining table.
with files from Jeremy Eaton