Photo courtesy of: www.ptbohousingcorp.ca
Workers at Peterborough Housing Corporation have voted in favour of strike action, raising concerns about service disruptions at one of the region’s largest affordable housing providers.
The workers, represented by CUPE 504, include custodians, maintenance staff and administrative employees who support more than 4,000 residents living in apartments and townhouses operated by Peterborough Housing Corporation.
The union says the workers perform a wide range of frontline and administrative duties, including cleaning properties, preparing units for new tenants, handling repairs, calculating rents and connecting residents with services.
CUPE 504 says members took the unprecedented step of voting to strike amid growing concerns over wages, staffing shortages and workplace conditions.
The union says Peterborough Housing Corporation has offered annual wage increases of 1.5 per cent while also seeking concessions, including the removal of flexible work arrangements.
CUPE 504 President Jesse Horrigan said the workplace has become increasingly difficult to sustain as a long-term career.
“People used to stay in these jobs for their entire career,” Horrigan said. “Now there are only a handful of workers with long term experience. PHC isn’t a place where people can build a career anymore.”
The union says workplace tensions have escalated in recent years, with 10 grievances filed since January.
Workers also allege chronic understaffing is affecting service delivery to tenants. CUPE says Peterborough Housing’s largest high-rise has been without a full-time custodian for 16 months, contributing to a backlog in maintenance and cleaning issues.
The union also alleges the number of management roles has continued to grow, with roughly one manager for every two frontline workers.
“Families, seniors, and residents living in PHC housing deserve better, and that starts with properly supporting the workers who keep these homes running,” Horrigan said.
The two sides are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on April 29.
(Written by: Jordan Mercier)
