Local hearing support workers optimistic an end to strike is close

Staff with the Canadian Hearing Society chapter in Kitchener are optimistic abouta settlement after theunion and society returned to the bargaining table Wednesday, almost a month after employees went on strike.

Mental health counselor Michal Morgan says that news, combined with a warm spring day, gave the 11 employees and their supporters walking the picket line some hope.

"We are very hopeful. We are looking forward to something good coming out of it and we want to get back to work as soon as possible," Morgan said.

She is one of a group of over 200 people at 24 locations across the province that went on strike March 6, 2017 after talks broke off between the Canadian Hearing Society and CUPE 2073, which represents all hearing society staff.

Workers say they've been without a contract for four years with no cost of living increases and they're worried their health benefits will be stripped. The Ottawa Street South location serves up to 3,000 people who are deafor hearing impaired, along with their families.

Gail Brunsdon is amental health communitysupport worker in Kitchener.

Brunsdon, who isdeaf, said throughinterpreter Sue McCarter that she is hoping to get back to work to provide accessibility that has been unavailable for the last month.

• Canadian Hearing Society,CUPEhead back to negotiating table

"Accessibility means having interpreters available to us, providing support with employment. It means mental health services. There's lots of needs and this office is closed," saidBrunsdon. "So where are they getting services? No other agency offers that kind of service or has that expertise and knowledge."