Union members from Kinark Child and Family Services strike in Barrie on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Image – Barrie 360)
On Monday, thousands of community and social workers across Ontario left their jobs to demand increased funding for their services.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing these workers, claims that “chronic underfunding” has pushed them to take on extra jobs just to get by, while vulnerable individuals are having a tough time getting the help they need.
The union states that the striking workers are joining others from various organizations who began their strikes over the weekend, along with those currently locked out of their workplaces.
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In total, nearly two dozen community organizations have workers who are either on strike or locked out at this point.
This includes child and youth support staff at Kinark Child and Family Services in Barrie. Many were seen picketing on Bayview Drive on Tuesday.
“We work with children and youth who struggle with complex mental health. We work within the schools. We have a living treatment program, and we have an autism program,” explained Sydne Thurlow-White, a child and youth worker at Kinark, and president of OPSEU local 355.
Workers from Community Living South Muskoka in Bracebridge are also participating in the strike.
The union’s demands go beyond just additional funding; they also include retroactive pay related to Bill 124, which capped public sector wage increases at one percent before being deemed unconstitutional.
The union notes that many public sector employees have received retroactive raises of 6.5 percent or more since the law was overturned, but those in community and social services are “still waiting.”
OPSEU president JP Hornick states that these workers are standing up for their communities, urging everyone – including employers – to back them.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services did not immediately respond when asked for comment.
This report by The Canadian Press was first May 25, 2026.
with files from Barrie 360
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