Nearly 100 frontline child treatment and autism service workers at the John McGivney Children’s Centre in Windsor have voted to protect themselves and the families they support by joining OPSEU.
“Doug Ford and his government are running roughshod over families of children with special needs and autism,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “By joining OPSEU, the McGivney workers are taking a brave stand and saying loud and clear: no more!”
“On behalf of OPSEU’s entire Executive Board and all of our 155,000 members, we’d like to welcome these new members and tell them that we couldn’t be more proud that they’ve decided to join our great union.”
The new OPSEU members at the McGivney Children’s Centre provide a range of services and support to families of children, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, and intensive behaviour intervention.
Among the many, many children they’ve helped is Joshua Goldthorpe, the 13-year-old who gave a stirring speech during OPSEU’s 2019 Convention.
“It’s simple: the earlier you start providing quality public support to children, the better off they’ll be,” said Deb Gordon, Chair of OPSEU’s Children’s Treatment Sector. “Proper investment in children’s treatment now pays huge dividends down the road. By joining OPSEU, the frontline workers at McGivney are helping to protect and strengthen that investment.”
“OPSEU has a long, proud track record of standing up for its members and the families they help,” said Len Elliott, Regional Vice-President of OPSEU Region 1. “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to these new members. Working together, we’ll strengthen all of the services that OPSEU members provide.
“Together to win!”