Striking workers at GTA care home want residents back home for the holidays

Striking frontline staff at Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) in Oakville want their residents returned to their original homes for the holidays.

CWSDS provides housing and care for adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Family members previously told CBC News 30 to 40 residents were moved from various group homes to the charity's headquarters, in preparation for the looming strike in September.

Julie Geiss, OPSEU Local 249 president, told CBC Toronto keeping the residents from returning to their group homes is not necessary and can be harmful to those who rely on regular routines and familiarity. 

"The most vulnerable that we serve, when they're living in their own home, they are happy,” she said. “Why did they have to be moved to come up with a fair collective agreement for us?”

The CWSDS workers have officially been on strike since Nov. 19 after more than 40 days in a “tenuous lockout position,” according to the union. The dispute centers on wage increases and working conditions, but negotiations have stalled. 

Both sides met with the Ontario Labour Board on Dec. 3 with CWSDS offering a nine per cent wage increase over seven years. Geiss described the offer as “insulting” and noted that CWSDS’s CEO, Patricia Kyle, received an almost 10 per cent raise in 2024. 

In a statement provided to CBC News, Kyle wrote, “CWSDS remains ready and willing to return to the bargaining table to reach a fair and sustainable agreement. We are hopeful that ongoing dialogue will lead to a resolution that avoids further disruption and restores trust with staff, families, and the broader community.” 

Kyle also wrote the decision to relocate residents was not made lightly and was necessary to, “maintain 24/7 supportive living services with the appropriate number of trained staff and resources.”

Meanwhile, family members of residents feel frustrated that no progress has been made. 

Jen Beddoe, whose son Christopher is one of the relocated residents, told CBC News she feels abandoned. 

“We feel actually abandoned by all sides,” she said. “We feel abandoned by the CWSDS management, particularly by the board who keeps referring us back to the management who will not respond to us ever [and] we feel abandoned by the union because what's happening is not working out at all.” 

Beddoe said she supports the workers receiving better pay, but also understands management may not have the funds needed to meet the union