Photo taken by MBC staff on location
The Norfolk Association for Community Living (NACL) says it remains committed to ending the ongoing labour dispute with striking workers but believes a negotiated settlement—not binding arbitration—is the best way to achieve that goal.
The statement comes after members of OPSEU/SEFPO Locals 204 and 172 demonstrated outside the home of Executive Director Stella Barker this week, criticizing the organization’s decision to reject a proposal for mediation-arbitration.
During the demonstration, union representatives said they were disappointed NACL declined the proposal, arguing arbitration could provide a quicker resolution to a strike that has now entered its 11th week.
In response to questions from myFM and WOW, Barker provided a statement and shared correspondence sent by NACL’s legal counsel outlining the organization’s reasoning.
“NACL remains committed to the resolution of this labour disruption at the earliest opportunity,” Barker said. “NACL is also eager to get back to the bargaining table with OPSEU and welcomes mediator assistance in this process.”
According to the letter, NACL carefully considered the union’s proposal to participate in mediation-arbitration before ultimately deciding against it.
The organization says it believes the dispute should instead be settled through direct negotiations between the two parties.
“The parties have a multi-decade track record of successfully negotiating renewal collective agreements without any form of binding arbitration,” the letter states.
“NACL believes that only a settlement freely negotiated at the local bargaining table can produce a viable settlement in the best interests of all concerned—whether that be NACL, OPSEU, the employees, or the people supported.”
The organization also said its Executive Director confirmed with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that the ministry does not consider itself bound by any interest arbitration award that might result from mediation-arbitration.
Instead, NACL says it is prepared to return to negotiations immediately and remains open to mediation to help facilitate discussions.
The organization said it would welcome continued assistance through the Ministry of Labour’s mediation services or the appointment of another mutually agreed-upon third-party mediator.
“We look forward to hearing from you regarding the resumption of negotiations,” the letter concludes.
In addition to addressing bargaining, Barker also raised concerns about recent protest activity associated with the strike.
She called on the union to reconsider demonstrations taking place near the homes of people supported by the organization.
“Promoting and supporting the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life is the number one priority of our Agency and all our staff,” Barker said.
“Picketing outside the homes of this vulnerable population is antithetical to the achievement of that objective. This ill-advised and disappointing conduct does nothing but cause anxiety and potential trauma to the very people we are supposed to be supporting.”
During Wednesday’s demonstration, however, OPSEU Local 204 Vice-President Shannon Giler said workers had gathered outside Barker’s residence to express frustration over the rejection of mediation-arbitration.
“We are here today because our executive director, Stella Barker, lives on this street,” Giler said. “We would like to let her and her neighbours know that her response… to mediation-arbitration is unacceptable, and that we would like to get back to work as soon as possible.”
Giler argued the dispute has reached a point where local bargaining alone cannot resolve workers’ concerns because agencies remain constrained by provincial funding levels.
“We’ve actually been bargaining locally for about three years with not great results,” she said. “The funding isn’t there.”
The strike began on May 25 and includes developmental services workers employed by the Norfolk Association for Community Living as part of a broader province-wide OPSEU campaign involving nearly two dozen agencies.
Workers are seeking wage improvements, increased provincial funding for developmental services and compensation related to wage restraint under Ontario’s former Bill 124.
The labour disruption has resulted in the suspension of Community Participation, Job Links and Passport services, while Supported Independent Living continues at reduced service levels.
Despite their differing views on how negotiations should proceed, both the union and NACL say they remain committed to reaching an agreement that allows workers to return to supporting people with developmental disabilities throughout Norfolk County.
