Member concerns

This was submitted May 16, 2014.

Subject: Returning Workers
Hi [name]
I feel like we are being used as pawns in this chess game.  I read AUPE's release and if the workers have indeed volunteered to return, I don't believe their reasons.  We are getting better care from the replacement staff.
I'm concerned that if they return without a contract or without a union they may decide to walk out again.  They should not be allowed to be in such a manipulative position.
...

Update: the union's sudden decision to have the care staff return to work, notifying us on the evening before a long weekend, was indeed manipulative posturing.  By doing it the way they did, it did not give SAIL time to arrange a transition with replacement workers but, also, many user members had become fearful of the care workers after seeing and hearing them on the picket line.  They did not want to have these people back in their homes.

SAIL responded to member concerns for their safety by refusing to allow the care staff in, resulting in what AUPE portrayed as an "illegal lockout."  As another member put it:

• On Thursday, May 15 AUPE gave 19 hours notice that the SAIL employees would return to work on Friday, May 16 at 07:00. There was no employee schedule in place to know what shifts would be covered for the long weekend and therefore SAIL had no choice but to refuse to permit the employees to return to work. AUPE intentionally created a completely unsafe and untenable situation which SAIL was forced to rectify by choosing to pay the SAIL employees not to return to work.

The end result is that, since then, the strikers have been under formal lockout.