OPSEU Strike Hits Families Hard in Ontario

For the past three weeks, Toronto resident Owen Rees has been filling notebooks with wishes to return home to his collection of records, his friends nearby, and a dance party every Friday.

The 58-year-old with Down Syndrome has been living with his brother and sister-in-law since his group home for adults with disabilities was shut down due to a strike by support workers.

“He’s pretty depressed about the whole thing. And we’ve tried to explain it but we can’t,” Mark Rees tells .

Strike began on May 25

About 4,000 community and social service workers for 22 different employers went on strike starting May 25.

Represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), they are asking for more funding from the province for their services and to make up for retroactive wages held down under Bill 124. The law that capped public sector wage increases at one percent per year was later deemed unconstitutional.

Families, community members affected by job action

Mark Rees says other families have reached out, trying to find ways to help their loved ones and each other as there seems to be no end to the strike in sight.

“It’s this disconnection from (Owen’s) friends and housemates and his routines that’s really having a huge impact on him,” he said.

Parents of children with autism say their families are feeling lost without the essential structure their kids need to flourish.

Anny Fayyaz, son Zain Anny Fayyaz is pictured with her 14-year-old son Zain. ( photo)

Anny Fayyaz feels like a rug was pulled out from under her when her son’s school and treatment center Aptus suddenly closed its doors.

“He’s having a very hard time,” Fayyaz says of her 14-year-old son Zain.

“He’s also very anxious so I might have to ask his pediatrician to increase his anxiety medication. He is not doing great and I’m really very worried about regression.”

This concern is shared by Vicky Plytas regarding her 17-year-old daughter KC, who also attends Aptus.

“These are the kids that everybody forgets about in their budget,” she said.

Aptus Treatment Centre Aptus Treatment Centre in Toronto has been closed for three weeks during a strike by community and social services workers. ( photo)

spoke with other parents from Aptus who describe their children as being in tears, lethargic, and “disregulated” since the school closure and cancellation of summer camps.

Some online learning options have become available, but Susan Cosgrove, whose son has attended Aptus for nine years, says that can’t fill some crucial gaps.

“It’s the emotional support. It’s the social piece. You can’t really just kind of hire a babysitter for kids like ours when unexpected things happen,” she said.

Susan Cosgrove, son Susan Cosgrove is pictured with her son, who has been forced to stay home due to a strike by OPSEU workers. (Supplied)’Both sides are passionate’ Mark Rees and parents from Aptus are urging OPSEU and their employers to communicate better.

“Both sides are passionate. Both sides really feel like they’re fighting for what is best for our kids , but the people who are losing out are the kids and adults in their day program , ” he said.

Owen Rees’ group home Toronto Owen Rees’ group home operated by Salvation Army has been closed for three weeks during a strike by community and social services workers ( photo )

could not reach anyone from Aptus on Monday.

In a statement , a spokesperson for Salvation Army , which runs Owen Rees’ group home , acknowledged it’s a tough time for residents and families.

“… contingency plans are in place to support safety , dignity , and continuity of care of those we serve. Essential supports continue , and we remain in direct contact with familiesand substitute decision-makers regarding any impacts affecting their loved ones , ” said Capt. Gina Haggett , who added that workers at Owen’s group home weren’t bound by Bill 124’s limits.

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