Unionized interpreters for the deaf and deaf-blind people in the Northeast say they're on strike because of workload issues as well as to back their demands for better pay and contract terms.
The members of CUPE Local 2073 held a public demonstration Friday outside the office of the Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) on Riverside Drive in Sudbury to raise awareness.
The local represents 205 workers across Ontario. There are 15 picket lines across the province with 12 workers on strike in Sudbury, said local spokesperson Mara Waern of Sudbury.
The union members were joined by local New Democrat MPPs Jamie West (Sudbury) and France Gélinas (Nickel Belt).
Mara Waern, president of CUPE Local 2073, said CHS management has not been willing to make a meaningful offer to the workers. She said the union is not willing to accept a one-year contract that has only a two per cent pay increase.
Waern said the union wants a second year added to the contract with an additional three per cent pay hike.
"We're actually not asking for a lot," said Waern who added that a two-year contract gives the workers a bit more security and stability.
She added that the workforce is being stretched too thin and there is a significant service area for the workers at the Sudbury office.
"Well, I'm an employment consultant. My area is from Parry Sound, North Bay, Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, and now I'm also covering Sault Ste Marie," said Waern.
"Okay, that's my job, but we are 206 employees across the province, and we cover Ontario from Windsor to Thunder Bay to Sudbury and and like every corner," she added.
Waern added that CHS seemed to be less-than-cooperative in the bargaining process.
"They wouldn't commit to a next bargaining date, and they wanted a media blackout. I had said to them, ‘Well, tell you what. I won't do any media tonight. If you put something on the table today, and if you put something good on the table, maybe I'd agree to a media blackout,’ to which they said ‘no’. So everything has been a no. And we're hoping that if we can generate some community interest in our cause, that the employer will come back to the table and just do something that's fair," said Waern.
MPP West said he was at the rally because he wanted to show support for the workers.
"We all know the affordability crunch is hitting people when you have workers who have only had a one per cent increase since their last contract," said West.
He also made reference to CHS president and CEO Julia Dumanian who earned $340,000 in 2024.
"When the employer, when the CEO, is making $300,000 of taxpayer dollars, and these people are making a lot less, and just wanting to keep up with the cost of inflation, it's important we support them, especially during these times," said West.
MPP Gélinas commented that there are people going without the services of interpreters for everyday activities where people need help.
"Lots of people depend on them for interpretation. They have weekly medical treatments, and now there is no interpretation. It's an essential service. Those workers deserve respect, asking for a two-year agreement. It's a no-brainer to me,” she said.
Len Gillis covers health care stories as well as the mining industry for Sudbury.com.