Unionized workers with Canadian Hearing Services remain on the picket lines

Unionized workers who supply supports and services to people who are deaf and hard of hearing are on strike.

Unionized workers who supply supports and services to people who are deaf and hard of hearing have been on strike across the province since Monday, and London is one of the locations where pickets are up.

The CUPE local 2073 members work for Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). They’ve been walking the pickets in front of Cherryhill Mall at 301 Dundas St. W., where a CHS office is located.

The not-for-profit agency provides a range of services, including education programs, counselling, and mental health supports.

About 200 workers across the province are out on strike, looking for improved wages and job security.

CUPE 2073 Picket Captain Amanda Seavers said the number of CHS offices across the province has dropped from about 24 to just nine, “About t10 years ago, we had 500 staff here, and it’s just dwindled. Now, 200 staff only for the whole of Ontario. We have a lot of programs that are experiencing reduced services.”

Also on the line on Friday was Jennifer Lynch. Lynch is a CHS settlement worker, helping new Canadians. With the help of an interpreter, Lynch used American Sign Language to tell CTV News, “We’re providing services to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. The deaf individuals who provide those services are able to connect with them best and know exactly what they need.

She stressed, “It’s important to have hearing and deaf staff alike, just to help connect with our community. And, you know, if we don’t have deaf staff, it does impact how we provide services to our community.”

Lynch has worked with CHS for 13 years, and values the work she does with newcomers, “As an individual who has grown up deaf, [I know] there’s a lot of barriers for them. And so, I’m here to help to break down those barriers.”

A statement from the union said they’ve seen, “Wages fall 16 per cent behind inflation while senior management have enjoyed double-digit percentage increases.”

Union members are hoping to rally public support to avoid a repeat of a 2017 strike that resulted in workers being out on the picket line for 10 weeks.