Community Living London Workers Gear Up for Strike

By Tabatha May

Workers at Community Living London are getting ready to strike on Monday, joining thousands across Ontario in a growing labor dispute caused by ongoing underfunding, low wages, and deteriorating working conditions. 

This action is part of the “Worth Fighting For” campaign, a coordinated community and labor effort across Ontario led by frontline workers in social services, including members of OPSEU/SEFPO and CUPE.

The workers are asking for retroactive pay to make up for wage increases that were unfairly capped at 1 percent in 2019 due to the Ontario government’s Bill 124, which was declared unconstitutional in 2024. While some public sector employees have since received back pay, many bargaining groups throughout Ontario remain without compensation. 

Workers left behind

Lisa Fewster, president of OPSEU Local 166 representing Community Living London, has over three decades of experience as a developmental service worker and labor activist. She points out that smaller workplaces like Community Living agencies lack the collective bargaining power enjoyed by larger sectors.

“It’s the power in numbers. We just don’t have that power that other sectors do through collective bargaining, unfortunately,” she says. “So here we are – we have to fight for it.” 

For Fewster, this inequality has sparked frustration among social services workers and union members all over the province: “just do what’s right is the very clear message from so many members across the province,” Fewster says. 

This week, thousands of workers are rallying together in this coordinated labor action; some have already walked off their jobs or faced lockouts from their employers. “There are currently 27 locals with 4,500 members across the province that are ready to strike. When we’re talking close to 5000 members, Doug Ford needs to sit up and pay attention.”

For many workers involved, the scale of mobilization highlights how severe the crisis has become-not just regarding wages but also concerning a system they say can no longer meet people’s needs.

Cost-of-living pressures deepen crisis

With rising inflation rates, living expenses have surged dramatically, making life increasingly difficult for many employees-especially those in a sector predominantly made up of women and newcomers.

“Community Living London is mostly women. There are a lot of single mothers who are working two or three jobs… they’re not able to pay rent, they’re not able to pay for groceries, and they are struggling,” she said.

As president of her local union chapter, Fewster has noticed an increasing number of workers seeking internal hardship support offered by their union. Fewster says “the number of members that come to me is astounding. People are struggling.”

However, according to Fewster, issues within this sector extend beyond just low wages. She pointed out larger systemic challenges such as staffing shortages and increasingly tough working conditions that keep getting worse.

“This sector in particular is in crisis. We cannot retain staff… It’s a revolving door,” she says. “The people that we support need that consistency… we have protocols and if they’re not followed… it can lead to somebody getting severely hurt; I’ve seen it over and over again.”

Fewster emphasizes that this instability goes beyond mere operational challenges; it directly impacts safety as well as emotional health for those they care for regularly. High turnover means individuals frequently must adjust to new caregivers-disrupting routines vital for those with developmental disabilities.

“The people that we support and their families are struggling. We have people supported in hospitals-in psychiatric units-and nursing homes who are 20-30 years old,” Fewster says. “That’s not the place for them; however there aren’t any [alternative] services available so they end up wrongly placed-and this crisis just continues on.”

These scenarios show a systemic failure where individuals get pushed into unsuitable care settings-not due solely because of medical needs but because community supports face significant underfunding and understaffing issues.

“Right now our members are being made to pack up these people from their homes… many of them being moved out… some going into hotels,” Fewster shared sadly about these moments which weigh heavily on workers’ emotions while doing their jobs. “We have a palliative home supporting people nearing end-of-life stages; our members leave knowing if things go past one week-that could be their last time seeing them … it’s hard.”

This harsh reality embodies why these labor actions matter so much-their fight extends beyond fair compensation; it’s about preserving meaningful human connections central to this work.

Fewster places blame firmly on provincial leadership stating: “this is not on us for walking out… This is on the Ford government.”

A fight for the future

As employees gear up potentially for strikes , local residents come together offering support. OPSEU Local 166 has begun organizing food banks aimed at assisting its members who might struggle with food access during strikes held at London ’ s OPSEU Regional Office located at 1092 Dearness Dr.

Fewster encourages community folks reaching out Doug Ford along with Conservative Party Ontario expressing solidarity towards these hardworking individuals attending picket lines too.

Despite everything , fewsters positivity shines bright , sharing stories fostering unity among peers providing hope.” The strong bond between us proves – united we’ll prevail”.

Ultimately , fewsters remarks make clear fighting isn’t simply linked lost income ; creating better systems enhancing quality caregiving remains crucial priority moving forward ” witnessing effects stemming under-funding sheds light necessary changes needed improving workplaces ensuring everyone receives what deserves”.

Tabatha May is a community Social Worker and member of Spring Socialist Network living in London , Ontario.View all posts

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