Worth Fighting For

Update from CLW on Sector Labour Developments

November 14, 2025

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This update is about current labour developments across Ontario’s developmental services (DS) sector and is intended for everyone connected to CLW: the people and families we support, our employees, and our partners.  It should help explain what is happening provincially with the Worth Fighting For campaign, and how we are preparing locally.

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Sector context

Across the province, CUPE Ontario and OPSEU/SEFPO have launched the Worth Fighting For campaign. This campaign highlights system-wide concerns about funding levels, staff retention, and compensation that has not kept pace with the growing needs of people and families who rely on support, nor with inflation or increases in other public sectors. The campaign affects the DS sector and other broader public sector groups as well (eg. children's aid societies, mental health organizations, community agencies, etc.).

 

Union leaders have emphasized that their advocacy is directed toward government funding and policy decisions, not toward individual employers. As CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn noted, workers are seeking fair compensation and sustainable investment, while acknowledging that “employers don’t have the money” within the current funding structure to address those concerns. OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick has similarly pointed out that agencies across Ontario are working hard to maintain services despite funding pressures and increasing demand (source: Globe Newswire).

 

Community Living Windsor is a not-for-profit transfer payment organization that is funded primarily through the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.  Our organization receives a set amount of funding from the government to provide service to a set number of people and families.  DS organizations like CLW are contractually obligated to avoid budgeting a deficit, and there is not a mechanism to request general increases due to costs like wage improvements, benefit cost increases, inflation, or competitiveness. 

 

We share the belief that the developmental services workforce is essential to strong, inclusive communities and that stable, fair supports benefit everyone: people, families, and employees alike.

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Potential for labour action

In many parts of Ontario, collective agreements between developmental services agencies and their union partners have expired. Some of those agencies have now entered conciliation, a formal step in the bargaining process where a government-appointed conciliator works with both parties to help reach an agreement.

 

If conciliation does not lead to a settlement, either party may apply for a “no-board” report, which legally starts the countdown toward a possible strike or lockout position, typically about 17 days after the report is issued. For some agencies in the province, this stage could arrive in the near future.

 

It is important to emphasize that Community Living Windsor is not currently in this situation. Our collective bargaining agreement remains in effect until March 31, 2026, which provides stability and time for thoughtful planning and engagement. This also allows us to observe developments elsewhere in the sector and to learn in order to reduce risks and strengthen our preparedness in support of those we serve.  It is our sincere hope that all stakeholders in our sector will work together to avoid labour disruptions because anything less places people's safety in jeopardy, even as we plan to try and mitigate risk.  

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Our planning and engagement

We continue to plan responsibly for all scenarios to ensure that supports remain safe and reliable. This includes proactive contingency planning and clear communication processes so that any changes, should they ever occur, can be shared promptly and transparently with people supported, families, and employees.

 

We have also engaged respectfully with our local Members of Provincial Parliament to share what we are seeing at the community level.  This includes both the dedication of our staff and the challenges that result from funding limitations. Our focus has been on the value of our employees, fairness, and maintaining high-quality supports across the developmental services system.  We believe that our employees deserve excellent compensation for the critical work that they do, and we are advocating to make sure that local MPPs are aware of the issues and of the Unions' campaign.  

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Our commitment

Community Living Windsor remains steadfast in its mission to foster belonging, inclusion, and meaningful relationships. We will continue to work collaboratively with employees, families, people supported, union partners, government representatives, and the broader community to ensure stability and quality in everything we do.

 

We are grateful to our employees for their dedication, to families for their trust, and to the broader Windsor-Essex community for their continued support.

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If you have questions

Regarding supports and services: please use this form.

Regarding the Worth Fighting For campaign: please reach out to your local CUPE representative.