Discussions to continue for developmental services workers
Employers and unions in Ontario's developmental services sector have agreed to two days of meetings in December to further discuss province-wide improved standards for DS workers.
OPSEU, CUPE, and agencies set Dec. 11 and 12 to follow up on discussions that began in October and continued earlier this month.
"The time is now for employers to establish quality, stability, and continuity of service for people with intellectual disabilities," said OPSEU Developmental Services Chair Patti Markland, who is involved in the discussions. "They can't do that with the high turnover of workers who can't make ends meet with low wages and unstable hours."
DS workers are among the lowest-paid in Ontario. Two-thirds are part-time or casual, about double the rate in the overall working population. A province-wide employer survey released in September confirms once again that employers can't attract and retain staff with such unstable conditions.
"I want to thank our more than 11,000 members across Ontario who are remaining strong through this process. They are committed to making significant changes with this round of talks," said Markland.
Collective agreements expired this year for most OPSEU members in DS. Members of several locals have given their elected leaders strong mandates to take strike action if necessary.
Your 2014 Bargaining Bulletin in authorized for distribution by:
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President, Ontario Public Service Employees Union
and
Patti Markland, Chair, Developmental Services Sector
Download Bargaining Bulletin #3 – November 2014 – Developmental Services