Dilico Anishinabek employees take strike action

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care in Fort William First Nation commenced a strike at 8:00 a.m. on July 8. The strike was advised by The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, which represents 350 Dilico employees.
Dilico provides child welfare, health and mental services to Aboriginal communities across northwestern Ontario.
The organization’s executive director told Wawatay that Dilico has a detailed contingency plan in place to ensure that crucial services continue to be provided.
Darcia Borg, the executive director of Dilico has assured the public that protecting children from harm is a priority, despite the labor dispute.
“Our first priority is our children and families in the communities we serve,” Borg said. “We are focusing on ensuring their safety and well-being.”
Betty Carpick, Dilico’s communications manager, confirmed that critical services will continue to operate 24 hours per day, seven days a week to ensure the safety of children.
In an email, Carpick said that Dilico has notified its partners, which include community service agencies, First Nations, hospitals, clinics, police services and native organizations, of the strike. These partners are able to provide a wide range of support that aligns with support normally provided by Dilico, Carpick said.
Carpick said Dilico hopes that these alternatives will minimize negative effects on youth and families in care.
Services not currently being provided by the agency include the walk-in clinic and the adult residential treatment centre. Both will be closed throughout the strike.
The agency is not able to permit a deficit, as funding for the next three years has already been set.
According to a Dilico press release, the agency has found savings and was able to present an offer to Dilico employees that included improvements to contract language, improved benefits and an increase in wages.
That offer was rejected by the union.
Dilico serves 13 First Nations in northwestern Ontario, including those along the north shore of Lake Superior and those surrounding Lake Nipigon, as well as providing services for Aboriginal people in Thunder Bay and other urban centres.
The agency incorporates all aspects of Anishnabek culture when providing services such as counseling, infant and child development, and children’s mental health and addiction issues.