Parents, guardians, and supporters of people affected by the ongoing social worker strike gathered in Renfrew's Low Square on Thursday, July 23. (MBC NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Guardians of some of the most vulnerable residents in the Ottawa Valley gathered to share their stories with the community.
Parents and caretakers for local adults with special needs met outside Renfrew’s town hall on Thursday, July 23, for an evening of solidarity and connection as the social workers they rely on to provide structure for their families remain on strike.
Wanda Cole says the loss of the day program at Community Living Renfrew County South is a bad situation for everyone involved that has left her brother Kevin isolated from his friends and support group.
Meanwhile, Murray MacDonald says it has been quite an exhausting commitment to balance caring for his wife and their daughter, Judy, who lives in a group home but needs to stay active to keep her from acting out.
The strike has been discouraging for them and other community members in their situation, who head into their ninth week feeling the strain of losing supports like the day program, and having the chance to catch up with others who understand what they are going through was something that both Cole and MacDonald couldn’t pass up.
Negotiations between social workers and employers appear to remain at a stand-still, but the parents and guardians at the gathering are hopeful their growing presence in the conversation will get people to the table to come to an agreement.
Unionized social workers have been picketing in communities across Ontario since late May and have been without a contract since 2024.
(written by Kasey Egan)
