Three weeks on the picket line: Strikes continue in Windsor and Toronto against GreenShield
About 580 members of Unifor local 240 and 20 members with local 673 have been on strike since March 1, when their contract expired with GreenShield Canada.
President Jodi Nesbitt says the biggest “sticking point” has been job security, “making sure that we continue that work here in Windsor and within GreenShield Canada not-for-profit.”
Nesbitt says just 20 of the employees work at the office in Toronto with the rest working at the office on Anchor Drive.
Unifor represents IT specialists, customer service reps, client administrators and claims adjustors.
“We have people on the picket line that are continually helping people get their claims processed,” Nesbitt tells CTV News. “We're not processing it for them, but we are giving them the information they need because we do care about our customers.”
Nesbitt says the community support for her members has been “phenomenal” as striking workers appreciate the honks they can hear from motorists on E.C. Row Expressway.
“People understand that we are on strike and we are fighting for job security. We are not out there for anything but job security,” says Nesbitt. “It resonates with people. Job security is on the forefront of many workers minds. “
Officials with GreenShield Canada (GSC) say they are “disappointed” by the strike.
“We hope Unifor can put aside the many untrue and misleading claims it has made and begin negotiating with the same urgency and long-term outlook that our bargaining team has shown,” Mila Lucio, Head of People & Culture told CTV News in a statement.
GSC says they are “highly committed” to job security in Windsor, noting they have added to the local workforce by 10 per cent in the last six months.
“GSC values all our employees and remains hopeful we can all work together again soon,” Lucio said. “In the meantime, we will continue to leverage our contingency plans for as long as is needed, to provide service for our valued clients and the underserved communities we support.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.