**Story updated to include information about a strike vote from union members that took place Tuesday night**
Unionized workers frustrated over poor working conditions are planning to hold a rally in Wallaceburg on Wednesday.
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 150's collective agreement with Community Living Wallaceburg expired on December 31, 2021. Since then, bargaining team members say they have not been able to reach a collective agreement with the employer.
As part of the bargaining process, the union local also took a strike vote on Tuesday, November 15 with 85% of members voting in favour of strike action if necessary.
"We've been at the table and we have no collective agreement," said OPSEU/SEFPO Local 150 President Kim Therrien. "Staff are burnt out and staff don't feel like they are respected."
The union stated its main issues are staffing shortages, no vacation time, and staff being made to keep working after their scheduled shift is done.
There are also disagreements regarding wages, scheduling, and benefits.
Therrien said the agency needs to invest in the workers and not those who are higher up in the organization.
"We deserve better as employees from the employer," said Therrien. "They keep hiring more management where we need more frontline staff."
Community Living Wallaceburg Executive Director Deborah Hook said the agency has put a number of proposals on the table to address the issues being brought up.
"We have been in negotiations with the union since June," said Hook. "There's been lots of conversation back and forth about the issues. We have focused and presented numerous proposals ensuring all employees can take vacation time, strengthening the health and safety langue in our collective agreement, and fair scheduling."
Hook pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the reason for being short-staffed. She said being a 24-hour agency, some employees are forced to stay if a replacement doesn't show up for their shift.
"We're supporting vulnerable people in their homes and we need to deliver 24/7 care," said Hook. "The pandemic has made the situation quite difficult for everyone but we as management have the desire to work with the union and employees to find a solution."
According to Therrien, the union has filed for conciliation, which is a process where the ministry of labour will elect an unbiased party to facilitate negotiations and help both sides come to a collective agreement.
"We don't have a date set in terms of a conciliation date," said Therrien.
The demonstration is slated for November 16 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. outside of Community Living Wallaceburg located at 1100 Dufferin Avenue.