Heart to Hart, It’s time to Talk Says OPSEU Local 441

Brockville – Last Thursday night the union representing workers at LLGAMH reached out to the employer to propose once again bringing in a private mediator to assist the parties in reaching a deal.

“Our members’ hearts break as we continue to see the most vulnerable in our community suffer. Our members want to be back at work assisting those who need these services,” said Bargaining Team Chair Magean Plue. “Brockville has always been described as a little town with a big heart. It’s time we recognize that our community needs the parties to put their best foot forward and come to a timely resolution.”

As the strike approaches its twelfth week, the community continues to reel from a lack of dedicated mental health services. The Hart Hub which has faced repeated delays due to funding agreements and landlord issues could face further delays due to staff being on strike and unable to provide services. The wider community has been calling for an end to this labor dispute and for the Hart Hub to hit its revised target open date of September 2026.

“It’s time to get to the heart of the matter. Several striking agencies have already been able to come to a resolution utilizing the assistance of private mediators,” said OPSEU/SEFPO Staff Representative Alex Lane. “We are committed to finding a pathway forward that gives everyone the best shot at ending this dispute. We believe that bringing in a private mediator with the skills to find common ground and get these valued services back up and serving our community is the best path forward.”

Other striking agencies in the area have already taken up the offer to schedule private mediation, with CMHLG and BACLA both returning to the table this week.