Canadian Hearing Services workers ‘relieved’ to return to work

After 11 weeks on strike, workers at Canadian Hearing Services (CHS), represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 2073 voted overwhelmingly in favour to ratify a new collective agreement.

“We are super relieved and very happy with the new collective agreement. It’s what we were working towards,” said Amanda Seavers, CUPE 2073 London picket captain for the strike. “We’re eager to get back to our clients on Monday.”

The small strike line in London had only ten workers picketing daily in front of the CHS office in Cherryhill Village Mall. After news that the new collective agreement was accepted in the Union ratification vote, London CUPE 2073 members held a celebration in Gibbons Park on July 9.

“We’ve been fortunate with picketing in the sense that we’re very united and on the same page,” said Makayla Cassell-Pegg, CUPE 2073 member and General Support Services worker at CHS on the experience of the strike. As most London CHS staff work from home, the picket line was the first time for many to connect with each other. The CUPE 2073 members at the celebration agreed that the strike had strengthened their solidarity with each other and other workers. 

“Overall, though, we’re relieved to be going back [to work],” Cassell-Pegg added.

“We’re so grateful of the community support we received, and we wanted the opportunity to say thank you in person,” said Seavers.

Though the weather was less than ideal, the rain and mosquitos didn’t damper the spirits of those in attendance, which included Deaf community members, their families, and local union members.

“There’s a whole world of labour family that we didn’t know about until we went out on strike. For many of us, this was our first experience with that,” add Seavers. “To see the community come out and other unions, people who used to work at CHS, along with people who work at other organizations who just heard about the strike was amazing.”

“We’re so happy everyone showed up for us when we needed them to,” added Cassell-Pegg. “We serve a fairly invisible and small community and when we needed support, people showed up in a way we didn’t think was possible. So, thank you.”

The details of the new agreement have not yet been released to the public, but CUPE 2073 President Mara Waern confirmed in a statement that it is a 3-year deal with increases to pension and benefits, wages, mileage rates and a meal allowance.

Normally, during collective bargaining, Employers and Unions exchange bargaining proposals and negotiate to come to a mutual agreement on the new contract. However, after only 2 hours of bargaining, CHS filed for conciliation to indicate they couldn’t come to a deal. The Union accused CHS of “surface bargaining” with the intention of prolonging the strike.

London workers continually expressed concerns during the strike about the impact on Deaf community members. While those at the celebration were happy with the increases, most of the conversations were centred on eagerness to return to work and continue services.

CUPE Ontario President Fred Hanh called CHS part of a “troubling trend” in the province in a statement on the unfair labour practices.  “More and more employers are trying to undermine fair collective bargaining. But workers are pushing back, asserting our rights to have a say in our future while demanding the investments our communities deserve.”

CUPE 2073 represents just over 200 workers across Ontario, an over 50 per cent reduction in staff since 2010. Workers are hoping that the new contract, set to expire in 2028, will provide some greater stability to the service delivery for the Deaf community. 

“We certainly won’t forget the support we’ve had for the last 11 weeks,” said Seavers.