Kitchener Sunbeam Workers to Stage Second Demonstration as No Progress Made in Negotiations

KITCHENER - CAW Local 1106 members employed at Sunbeam Residential Development Centre in Kitchener will stage their second demonstration in less than one month outside of the main building of the centre later today as negotiations for a new contract have been stalled for weeks.

CAW Local 1106 Demonstration - Thursday May 21, 2009

Sunbeam Residential Development Centre - 2:30-5:00pm (Outside of the centre's main building) Where: 2749 Kingsway Drive Kitchener, Ontario

Workers at Sunbeam Residential Development Centre provide residential care and day programming for developmentally challenged individuals with physical and emotional impairments in the Waterloo Region. Negotiations have been stalled since breaking down in April after Sunbeam management attempted to shift more administrative tasks onto the workers who are responsible for the direct care of clients. "It's clear the employer has no interest in undertaking meaningful negotiations with our union, which is frustrating our members and causing tremendous hardship for the centre's residents," said CAW National Representative Bill Gibson. The CAW represents 130 workers at Sunbeam. The current contract expired on March 31, 2009.