“What people need to understand is we are doing this because we care about the people we support, and the fight is for staff to be able to afford to do this work, and to be able to remain in the field.” – Alex Dunsmuir, president of OPSEU Local 204
May 25, 2026 • Last updated 13 hours ago •
Unionized workers at Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL) set up picket lines in Simcoe on Monday, May 25. The strike involves 160 direct support professionals and developmental services workers who assist people with developmental disabilities. Photo by STAFF /SIMCOE REFORMER
Unionized employees at Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL) have taken their protest to the streets, citing issues with the provincial government and unpaid funds dating back to 2019 as key reasons for their action.
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Members of OPSEU Local 204 gathered at the intersection of Highways 3 and 24 in Simcoe on Monday morning. They joined forces with 27 agencies across Ontario as part of the Worth Fighting For campaign. In total, about 160 direct support professionals and developmental services workers are involved locally, providing assistance to residents with developmental disabilities.
“I have colleagues who are missing bill payments or giving up mental health care because they can’t afford it, and they’re still staying in this field because they care so deeply,” said Alex Dunsmuir, president of Local 204.
“What people need to understand is we are doing this because we care about the people we support, and the fight is for staff to be able to afford to do this work, and to be able to remain in the field.”
The group is currently clashing with the Ford government over Bill 124. Introduced in 2019, Bill 124 included wage-suppression legislation that affected registered nurses, nurse practitioners, health-care professionals and other public-sector workers by capping wage increases at a maximum of one percent total compensation for three years.
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The Ontario Court of Appeal struck down the bill as a violation of Charter rights. This decision led to over $6 billion being returned in compensation.
Workers from organizations like Liquor Control Board of Ontario and Ontario Colleges have received their owed payments; however, support professionals such as those at NACL have not seen any compensation yet.
An open letter addressed to Ford from OPSEU representatives called for “immediate, sustained funding increases to stabilize community health and social services” along with “funded wage increases including the retroactive wage increase of six point five percent that other public-sector workers received after Bill 124 was repealed.”
Unionized workers at Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL) set up picket lines in Simcoe on Monday, May 25. The strike involves 160 direct support professionals and developmental services workers who assist people with developmental disabilities. Photo by STAFF /SIMCOE REFORMER
Dunsmuir emphasized that the concerns raised by workers aren’t directed at agencies like NACL but rather towards the government that oversees them.
“This fight is about getting our employer funded properly since honestly our employers don’t have enough money available due to Bill 124’s effects. If they had it available they would give us what we’re owed; however they aren’t receiving necessary funding.”
A request left for comment from NACL representatives wasn’t answered before publication time.
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Unionized workers at Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL) set up picket lines in Simcoe on Monday, May 25. The strike involves 160 direct support professionals and developmental services workers who assist people with developmental disabilities. Photo by STAFF /SIMCOE REFORMER
Dunsmuir emphasized that the concerns raised by workers aren’t directed at agencies like NACL but rather towards the government that oversees them.
“This fight is about getting our employer funded properly since honestly our employers don’t have enough money available due to Bill 124’s effects. If they had it available they would give us what we’re owed; however they aren’t receiving necessary funding.”
A request left for comment from NACL representatives wasn’t answered before publication time.
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