Frontline health care workers from the Jean Tweed Centre have overwhelmingly voted to become OPSEU members.
This community-based centre is a leading not-for-profit agency with locations in Toronto and Brampton. Its primary focus is providing women with trauma-informed counselling in a therapeutic environment. It is comprised of counsellors, therapists, educators and administrative personnel who also offer substance abuse, mental health, and problem gambling programs. It also operates an on-site and fully-licensed therapeutic child development centre.
There are approximately 80 staff who work out of Jean Tweed’s three main locations.
“In the process of joining OPSEU, your team expressed the desire to preserve your existing terms and conditions in the face of the Ford regime,” said Ed Arvelin, Chair of OPSEU’s Mental Health and Addictions Division. “Be assured that we plan to fight hard and combat the growing threat that is the Ford government’s destructive agenda on health care.”
Other key issues that staff had for joining revolve around having a legal voice in the workplace and a desire to strengthen their ability to advocate for themselves so they may better fight for their service’s users.
They also felt it important to join forces with other Toronto social service agencies that are OPSEU members. These include the Assaulted Women’s Helpline, North York Women’s Shelter, Fred Victor, and Mainstay Housing.
“Congratulations,” said OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “You’ve made a great decision in joining thousands of other community health care workers across Ontario now represented by OPSEU. Adding your voice makes our union even better-equipped to stand up for workers’ rights. We’ve got your back.”