Workers at Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) were forced out on strike for decent wages, better staffing, and adequate paid sick days. CHS workers provide crucial services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf/blind persons, and they are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2073.

These courageous people have been on picket lines for eight weeks since April 28. They are calling for basic fairness and manageable workloads to provide the best possible service to those who depend on them.

They are striking for:

• Fair wages: CHS CEO Julia Dumanian now makes $340,000 which is 122% more than the previous CEO made when she took over. At the same time, CHS workers have seen their wages fall behind inflation, resulting in a 16% cut in real wages.
  
  
• Better staffing levels: Staffing levels have fallen from about 450 to just over 200 today. This means less accessible services for deaf, deaf/blind, and hard of hearing persons.
  
  
• Paid Sick days: These workers are also fighting for 10 paid sick days each year. Ten paid sick days is the minimum number of paid sick days that all of us should have, and a central legislative demand of the Justice for Workers campaign. 

Here’s how you can help CHS workers win:

• Join our emergency phone zap on Tuesday, June 17 (6:00 pm to 6:30 pm). To participate, join us via Zoom and together, we will make phone calls to CHS CEO Julia Dumanian, to members of the Canadian Hearing Services Board of Directors, and to key government ministers. ASL interpretation will be provided. Will you be part of the Emergency Phone ZAP? 

• Visit a picket line in your community. Let these workers know they have your support. There are locations across Ontario, find a picket line near you. 

• Send a message to the CHS Board of Directors. CEO Julia Dumanian and the CHS Board of Directors need to know there is strong public support for these workers. Email CHS Directors and tell them you want to see a fair and swift resolution for workers and for every deaf, deaf/blind, and hard-of-hearing person. 

📣 ATTENTION TORONTO!

 If you live in Toronto, please come in person to the June 17 organizing meeting.

What's happening at the in-person meeting?

Members of CUPE 2073 will be joining us in person for the Emergency Phone Zap to share their experiences and help us plan next steps. The meeting will go from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and ASL interpretation will be provided, in person.

At the meeting, we'll also be planning next steps in the fight for better labour laws, accessible Employment Insurance, and real solutions to the cost of living crisis.

The meeting will be held at 720 Spadina Avenue, room 219, just south of the Spadina TTC station.

Let us know you're coming so we can have enough snacks and materials on hand.

Hope to see you on Tuesday, June 17, either on Zoom or in-person in Toronto!