The mother and daughter love to cook together and go bowling, and they use a picture board to communicate about the day’s plans. Umlauf’s family is one of many in the lurch since approximately 4,000 community, health and social services workers across Ontario stopped work in the spring. The workers, some of whom went on strike while others were locked out, include social workers, shelter staff and developmental service workers. Hornick said striking workers are predominantly living paycheque to paycheque, some standing in food bank lines alongside their clients. She said she has received conflicting or confusing information about the closure of the school since the strike began.