Community Living Algoma dealing with staff burnout

CUPE 1880, the union representing more than 250 frontline service workers at Community Living Algoma (CLA) is calling on the employer to end the practice of forced overtime.

Signed by roughly 70 per cent of its members, the union is calling for an end to the unfair and unsafe practice of leaving workers stuck on shift claiming many have been forced to work up to 16 hours more a week. 

CLA Executive Director, John Policicchio says his board holds a strong position against forced overtime. He says the recent rise of COVID has stressed the staffing levels but adds there is a good relationship between the two sides, and he believes they can come to an agreement. 

He says they are not envisioning a crisis over the holidays, unless something unexpected arises, which is why forced overtime sometimes occurs. 

He says negotiations on the issue began last September and will continue into the new year and asks for patience and open dialogue on both sides.