Chants of “Hold The Line,” and “We Want More funding,” have been met with honking and yelling outside Loyalist College in Belleville today.
Workers with Community Living Prince-Edward, represented by Ontario Public Service Employees Union, are currently on strike. It is the second day of a strike impacting dozens of social agencies across Ontario.
Staff from Community Living Prince-Edward, are represented by OPSEU Local 448. They are picketing outside Loyalist College in Belleville today to raise awareness and show solidarity with their clients. Clients with Community Living Prince-Edward, who are normally supported at local group homes, are currently staying at Loyalist College Residence.
Speaking with 91X this afternoon, Kimberly Mayer, President of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 448, has heard that their may be 38 clients on campus.
Mayer said that members, who have been supported by other unions on the picket line today, are out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both the College entrances. The union has been delaying vehicles from accessing and leaving the College, which has created some visible tension. Mayer would not reveal how long members are stopping vehicles for at a time. 91X has witnessed delays between 10 to 20 minutes, and they have been able to leave in groups once permitted.
“We have gotten a lot of honking and a lot of support going by. We have had a lot of people from other locals and from other unions stopping by to picket with us, and to support us. There has also been some angry people who have not enjoyed being delayed.”
Mayer also revealed to 91X, that a member on the picket line was hit by a vehicle at roughly 12:20 p.m. today. Mayer described the scene to 91X, which was filmed by union members. She claimed that a women drove up to the picket line at the main entrance of the College and got out of her car, and kicked her way through the pilons, that the union has set up as a barrier for traffic. Mayer added that the women then got into her car again and “bumped” a union member. The victim involved was not injured. Belleville Police were called and arrived on scene. Belleville Police were previously seen by 91X just before noon, montoring the strike action.
91X has reached out to Belleville Police for more information.
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