CWSDS has reached an agreement with OPSEU
March 17, 2026
Following two days of mediation and arbitration with Gerry Lee, Central West Specialized Developmental Services and OPSEU came to a resolution early this morning. Stay tuned for more information in the days ahead as we finalize planning to resume full operations.
Past Updates
Dear Community Members,
Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) and OPSEU had constructive contract discussions today in a session facilitated by mediator Gerry Lee.
CWSDS and OPSEU have agreed to continue discussions in another mediated session tomorrow evening, March 16, 2026. We remain committed to finding a sustainable resolution.
We are looking forward to resume negotiations. We want to reach a sustainable collective agreement to end this strike and the disruption it’s causing as soon as possible. We are hopeful that renewed dialogue will lead to a resolution.
We want to reach a sustainable collective agreement to end this strike as soon as possible. We are hopeful that renewed dialogue will lead to a resolution.
As a demonstration of our commitment to reach a sustainable collective agreement, we are open to participating in negotiations facilitated by the mediator Gerry Lee. We look forward to coordinating a date and time as soon as possible.
Dear Community Members,
As we near the three-month mark since OPSEU launched its strike against CWSDS, we remain determined to end the disruption it’s causing those we support, their families and our community partners. Unfortunately, we remain at an impasse.
While OPSEU claims in public communications that it wants to reach an agreement for its members, its actions demonstrate otherwise.
Since September 2024, CWSDS has met with OPSEU more than 15 times to secure a new collective agreement, including two mediation sessions early last month. At no point have we turned down an invitation to get back to the bargaining table.
Over the course of negotiations, CWSDS has improved its offer several times, enhancing compensation and benefits, in hopes of making a deal that pays our valued employees a living wage, while also ensuring we don’t exceed our operating budget and our funding from the provincial government. Our latest offer would see OPSEU members receive a meaningful wage increase of over 8.25 per cent, plus benefits in a retroactive six-year deal until the end of fiscal year 2027. This is in addition to the $3/hour wage adjustment (representing roughly 12%) already received by most of the OPSEU members during the term of this agreement. OPSEU member roles that did not receive the $3/hour wage adjustment would also receive it.
OPSEU, on the other hand, has not shown the same flexibility. Instead, it continues to come to the table with demands it knows we cannot agree to because they would exceed our funding and push us into an unsustainable deficit position. OPSEU is calling for an increase of 12.25 per cent over the same six-year time frame.
The strike against CWSDS is part of a much larger province-wide OPSEU campaign. OPSEU has coordinated strike mandates at more than 60 community services agencies, including CWSDS. The union is using the campaign to try and secure higher wages for workers by pressuring Ontario’s government into increasing funding to agencies.
We’re doing all that we can to resolve the strike. We’ve shown flexibility to improve our offer. We’re hopeful OPSEU will join us at the negotiating table and do what’s best for its membership by working together to resolve our differences and come to a viable agreement that works for both sides.
FOSTERING STABLE ENVIRONMENT
In the meantime, we continue to focus on the well-being and safety of people supported as we limit the impact of disruption from the strike. Over the past few months we have built a care team – including existing managers, non-union staff and agency workers – who are focused on delivering compassionate care in a stable, positive environment.
We’ve taken the opportunity to carry out upgrades and maintenance at our community supportive living homes, including a full bathroom renovation at one house, roof repairs, window replacements and a long list of other repairs. This will prepare us well for when the strike is over and people we support can return to using these spaces once again.
And despite the labour disruption, we continue to make progress on Project Transform – our multi-year change initiative to elevate our services, empower our staff, and strengthen our community partnerships. We’ve set our sights on continuing to build a future where everyone feels included, where our services are excellent, and where we’re there for each other every step of the way.
As we navigate the strike and evolve to meet the needs of our community, we remain committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those we support, every day.
Today, Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) participated in another mediation session with OPSEU facilitated by a Ministry of Labour appointed mediator, as part of our ongoing efforts to reach a renewed collective agreement and bring an end to the labour disruption.
We entered mediation committed to constructive dialogue and to identifying solutions that support both our workforce and the individuals, families and community partners who depend on our services. While both parties made efforts to clarify several outstanding issues, we recognize that differences remain. Additional discussion will be required to move closer to a resolution.
We have offered a meaningful wage increase of over 8.25 per cent on average over the term of the agreement. Factoring in an additional $3-per-hour adjustment, the deal would offer a combined increase of 19 to 22 per cent for most employees.
CWSDS has always been committed to negotiating in good faith. We appreciate the critical role that our employees play in delivering high-quality, compassionate care, and we value their contributions. As a not-for-profit agency that receives most of its operating budget through annual provincial funding, we must do our best for our team and the people we care for with the resources provided.
We have requested an additional mediation date to resume negotiations. We remain hopeful that further conversations will help us advance toward a fair and sustainable agreement.
Thank you for your continued support as we work toward a constructive and timely resolution.
Sincerely,
Patricia Kyle, CEO
Central West Specialized Developmental Services
UPDATE FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS
Dear Community Members,
Central West Specialized Developmental Services had a positive meeting today with OPSEU as we try to resolve the ongoing strike that has been impacting our services since Nov. 19, 2025.
We participated in an exploratory discussion with union representatives, facilitated by a mediator appointed by the Ministry of Labour.
While we made progress in some areas, there continues to be significant work ahead to find the common ground necessary to reach a new collective agreement.
CWSDS and OPSEU have agreed to continue discussions in another mediated session on January 16, 2026.
We’re hopeful that renewed dialogue will help us reach a new collective agreement and end the disruption affecting the people we serve, families and community partners.
Sincerely,
Patricia Kyle, CEO
Central West Specialized Developmental Services
Dear Team Members,
As a demonstration of our commitment to averting a strike and reaching a deal with OPSEU, we have improved our offer several times over the course of negotiations since September 2024.
Despite the lack of a formal agreement, we have already implemented a number of improvements for team members that we negotiated with OPSEU, such as:
- Immediate salary increases for some staff as well as a quicker path to top compensation by:
- Removing the wage grid start rate, and
- Providing credit for recent related work experience.
- Providing a retroactive payment advance up to $1,000 to all OPSEU staff in December 2024.
- Offering a more competitive salary for most clinical roles by wage grid increases.
We believe strongly that all CWSDS team members deserve to feel valued and are competitively compensated for the exceptional care and support they provide.
Our most recent offer would see OPSEU team members receive a comprehensive wage and benefits package that includes:
- Wage increases of $4 to $16 per hour, depending on the job category;
- Expanded health and wellness benefits, including $1,200 in new mental health coverage; and
- A longer term for the collective agreement that takes us into the future providing additional wage increases and labour stability for employees, the people we serve, and our community.
Sincerely,
Patricia Kyle, CEO
Central West Specialized Developmental Services
Dear Team Members,
The start of a new year marks a time for reflection and renewal. As we begin 2026, I am hopeful we can reach a labour agreement and resolution to the disruption caused by the ongoing strike.
As we have said since OPSEU initiated the strike on Nov. 19, 2025, Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) is eager to resume negotiations in good faith as quickly as possible.
We are hopeful that renewed dialogue will finalize an agreement that ensures our team members remain among the best-compensated specialized developmental service workers in Ontario.
We have agreed to attend a session on Thursday, January 8 with a mediator appointed by the Ontario Labour Relations Board for an exploratory discussion with OPSEU representatives that we hope will pave the way back to the bargaining table. We want this impasse to end.
Since September 2024, CWSDS has met with OPSEU more than 15 times to secure a new collective agreement, including bargaining meetings and conciliation sessions. As a demonstration of our commitment to averting a strike and reaching a deal, we have improved our offer several times over the course of these negotiations.
We want valued members of our team back at CWSDS supporting the people we care for, making a positive difference in their lives.
We’re eager to return to the bargaining table and to get to an agreement, as we always have. But it takes two parties to have a conversation. We are listening to you. We will be back at the table. Tell OPSEU you want the same thing from them.
Sincerely,
Patricia Kyle, CEO
Central West Specialized Developmental Services
FAQ
We’ve improved our offer several times over the course of these negotiations. Most recently, we participated in an exploratory discussion with union representatives on Friday, January 16, facilitated by a mediator appointed by the Ministry of Labour.
We have requested an additional mediation date to resume negotiations. We remain hopeful that further conversations will help us advance toward a fair and sustainable agreement.
We have offered a meaningful wage increase of over 8.25 per cent on average over the term of the agreement. Factoring in an additional $3-per-hour wage adjustment, the deal would offer a combined increase of 19 to 22 per cent for most employees over the term of the new collective agreement.
The ongoing strike was initiated by OPSEU on November 19, 2025 following a mediation session that failed to conclude a collective bargaining agreement. The strike took effect immediately around 5 pm, and without advance notice, and remains in place.
Temporarily relocating individuals from our community supportive living homes to a central location at 53 Bond Street was necessary to ensure we have the appropriate number of staff with the necessary training, expertise and experience to continue providing 24/7 supportive living services for the duration of the strike. We moved individuals prior to OPSEU initiating the strike on November 19, 2025 to ensure continuity of care and minimize disruption to those we care for and their families. This was fortunate since OPSEU members initiated their strike action without advance notice.
After the strike has been resolved, we will move as quickly as operationally possible to move individuals back to our community supportive living homes. In the meantime, we continue to provide all regular supportive living care and activities in our temporary location.
We’ve always used a mix of experienced staff, newer team members, and agency workers. This approach allows us to provide consistent, highquality support. Leadership is on-site seven days a week to oversee care. All members of our care team have the appropriate skills, training and experience to deliver the specialized developmental services we provide.
The costs for consulting and professional fees OPSEU have referred to include important clinical work and resources that help us care for your loved ones.
While OPSEU has positioned this investment negatively, these funds predominantly went towards staffing, direct care clinical professionals – key services for the people we care for.
There has not been a material change in the organization’s spending on consulting and professional fees over the years, but those expenses are being more accurately reflected in the most recent financial reporting.
OPSEU members who make up the majority of our front-line team had been working without a renewal collective agreement since March 31, 2022. After more than 15 bargaining sessions over a period of more than 18 months that started in September 2024 with little movement from OPSEU, CWSDS was left with no option but to request a no-board report last fall.
OPSEU initiated an immediate strike on November 19, 2025, with no advance warning. Despite repeated false claims made by the union, at no point did CWSDS threaten to lock out workers or initiate a lockout. The current labour disruption is a direct result of strike action initiated by OPSEU.
