August 21st, 2026

Dear CLSM Community

I am disappointed to share that OPSEU employees remain on strike. CLSM did meet with OPSEU in a mediated session last Sunday, and we remain in conversation. As we enter the 14th week of the strike, tensions are bound to be high and the community has many questions about why CLSM and OPSEU have not yet reached an agreement. In the interest of full transparency, I want everyone to understand a few points, which I have outlined below.

The summary of these points is this: CLSM cares deeply about both the people we serve and our employees. We value the essential work of our employees and want to see them return to the supporting the people they care about. We are at a standstill in this strike because CLSM simply cannot afford OPSEU’s demands without significant cuts to services and staff. The budget of each Community Living agency is unique – it is not productive to compare deals reached by other agencies. Further, despite consistent advocacy to government over the years, we have no indication of additional funding at this time.

I hope you will read our full communication to better understand our position and the empathy we feel for all involved.

Thank you for your understanding,

Krista Haiduk-Collier, CEO, and the CLSM Leadership

We value our employees:

  • CLSM, including the CEO, the senior leadership, and the Board, care deeply about both the people we serve and our staff.
  • We value our staff and the essential work they do; we want to see everyone return to work and have no interest in dragging the strike out longer than necessary.
  • We absolutely respect our staff’s right to strike.
  • We understand the disappointment staff feel that replacement workers are working in group homes. The people we serve live in these homes and have essential needs that must be met. We have no other choice than to use replacement workers to ensure these homes continue to function and services are maintained.

CLSM cannot afford a higher offer without significant cuts to services and staff:

  • CLSM has negotiated in good faith since conversations with OPSEU began in 2024.
  • We have significantly raised our offer during the strike, while OPSEU has made very little movement on their side.
  • The current offer on the table, which we have transparently shared here, is already a financial stretch and will require cuts to make viable.
  • The current offer includes retroactive pay covering the period of April 1, 2024, to May 25th, 2026.
  • CLSM is a government-funded not-for-profit; our board cannot approve a budget that puts us at a deficit that is not sustainable.
  • Any higher offer would require further cuts to services and staff.

Community Living Agencies have different financial realities:

  • The budget of each Community Living agency is unique, based on a variety of factors including current salary levels (which are not standardized), funding streams, service offerings, size, and employee composition.
  • It is not productive to compare deals reached by other agencies, as what is affordable for one may not be for another.
  • Community Living agencies are required to bargain directly with their Union Locals; we have no mechanism to enter into joint bargaining with other regions, nor with the government.

CLSM has consistently advocated for additional government funding:

  • Community Living agencies have banded together for many years to advocate for increased provincial funding. We have initiated multiple campaigns, such as 5 to Survive and #WaitingtoBelong.
  • In 2025 alone, CEO met personally met with our MPP and made written and in-person submissions during the Pre-Budget Consultation process.
  • Since the strike began, CEO has again met with both our MPP and our MCCSS Regional Director.
  • Supported by advocacy efforts by employers, Developmental Service Workers did receive a permanent, $3 per hour wage increase during the Bill 124 period. If OPSEU Local 305 accepts CLSM’s current offer, the total increase for CLSM employees is an average of 29% from 2021 to 2028. This is a substantial, previously unheard-of increase for the Developmental Services Sector.
  • Unfortunately, at this time we have no indication of additional government funding, just as we did not when the strike began.

Thank you,

Krista Haiduk-Coller

Chief Executive Officer

August 16th, 2026

Dear People Supported, Families, Staff, and Community, 

We are writing to provide an update on negotiations with OPSEU Local 305. 

As previously communicated, we returned to the bargaining table on August 5 and August 14, 2026, but were unable to reach an agreement. We returned again today, August 16, with the support of a third-party mediator. Local 305 chose not to use the Ministry of Labour-appointed mediator. 

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the day ended without a resolution to the ongoing strike. 

OPSEU’s financial demands are unaffordable and would put the long-term sustainability of our agency at risk. Community Living South Muskoka is funded directly by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and operates under a contract to provide services. We have received no additional funding since the strike began twelve weeks ago, nor do we have any indication that we can expect further funding.  

CLSM has made every effort to reach an agreement. We have developed our offers with a genuine intention to recognize the hard work of our employees, while balancing financial viability of the agency and ensuring that we are able to continue providing quality services. 

The union has advised us that our offers have been shared with its membership. In the interest of transparency, we are sharing CLSM’s current offer, which was declined by Local 305: 

Signing Bonus for full-time staff of $750 
Signing Bonus for part-time staff $350 

Annual increases of: 
2024–25: 2% 
2025–26: 3% 
2026–27: 3% 
2027–28: 2.5% 

This offer is significantly higher than our annual budgets and will require budgetary readjustment to make viable. We value our staff and believe that this offer recognizes their hard work. Raising the offer any higher would be irresponsible on the part of CLSM leadership as it would threaten the ability of the agency to continue providing services. 

While CLSM remains committed to continuing discussions, at this time we do not have another date set and OPSEU has indicated that they are not willing to return to the table. 

We are deeply disappointed on behalf of our employees, families, and the people we serve that we were unable to reach a resolution today. We hope to reach a resolution – in the meantime, we remain focused on maintaining high-quality services for the people we support. 

Sincerely, 
Krista