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Developmental Services

Sector 2 is made up of 12,500 members in 50 locals who work at 67 different agencies. We support people with intellectual and physical disabilities. We also help develop and implement individual support plans and goals, including personal care, living activities, employment, health care and relationships, both personal and community based. Our first locals joined OPSEU in 1978.
Ford continues attacks on the province’s most vulnerable

Latest News

Ford continues attacks on the province’s most vulnerable

Ford continues attacks on the province’s most vulnerable

Rallies to save the services that save us

Rallies to save the services that save us

OPSEU recognizes October as Autism Awareness Month

OPSEU recognizes October as Autism Awareness Month

OPSEU celebrates Developmental Services Appreciation Day

OPSEU celebrates Developmental Services Appreciation Day

Frontline workers at Community Living Cambridge to march for fair wages, accountability

Frontline workers at Community Living Cambridge to march for fair wages, accountability

‘Think big! There is strength in numbers’ OPSEU’s president tells parents at rally about autism cuts

‘Think big! There is strength in numbers’ OPSEU’s president tells parents at rally about autism cuts

Minister of Mean autism program ‘enhancements’ still leave parents adrift: OPSEU’s Thomas

Minister of Mean autism program ‘enhancements’ still leave parents adrift: OPSEU’s Thomas

Thomas: Another day, another ‘smoke-and-mirrors’ autism announcement from the Ford government

Thomas: Another day, another ‘smoke-and-mirrors’ autism announcement from the Ford government

'Knowing we have OPSEU in our corner fuels our tanks to keep going'

'Knowing we have OPSEU in our corner fuels our tanks to keep going'

Supporting students with autism: Joint statement from educational workers’ unions in Ontario

Supporting students with autism: Joint statement from educational workers’ unions in Ontario

Pink Shirt Day: OPSEU members in social services mark National Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day: OPSEU members in social services mark National Pink Shirt Day

Thomas demands that Ford fire ‘Minister of Mean’ Lisa MacLeod over growing autism scandal

Thomas demands that Ford fire ‘Minister of Mean’ Lisa MacLeod over growing autism scandal

Bargaining

Frontline workers at Community Living Cambridge to march for fair wages, accountability

Frontline workers at Community Living Cambridge to march for fair wages, accountability

Cambridge – On Developmental Services Appreciation Day, the frontline workers at Community Living Cambridge and…
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Workers in Renfrew and Arnprior deliver strike vote

Workers in Renfrew and Arnprior deliver strike vote

Renfrew – Developmental services workers in Renfrew and Arnprior have given a strong strike mandate…
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7500 members at the table: OPSEU Developmental services bargaining newsletter

7500 members at the table: OPSEU Developmental services bargaining newsletter

Coordinated bargaining news for OPSEU Members from Sector 2, Developmental Services To download a printable…
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Avenue II rally cancelled; blackout imposed

Avenue II rally cancelled; blackout imposed

Thunder Bay – A rally by workers at Avenue II Community Program Services that had…
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Employer request for ‘no board’ threatens services at Avenue II

Employer request for ‘no board’ threatens services at Avenue II

Thunder Bay – Some 100 employees with Avenue II Community Program Services in Thunder Bay…
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OPSEU members at Central West reach tentative agreement

OPSEU members at Central West reach tentative agreement

One week before they could have taken strike action, more than 300 members of the…
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Central West info picket draws strong response; strike deadline set

Central West info picket draws strong response; strike deadline set

With a September 6 strike deadline now in place, members of OPSEU Local 249 at…
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​‘No board’ report triggers strike countdown at CWSDS

​‘No board’ report triggers strike countdown at CWSDS

Oakville – In light of their employer’s refusal to negotiate seriously, the bargaining team for 340…
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Developmental service workers to management: 'A dime won't do'

Developmental service workers to management: 'A dime won't do'

Frontline staff at Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) held an information picket on July…
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OPSEU VP to speak at Central West info picket

OPSEU VP to speak at Central West info picket

Oakville – Workers with Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) will be on the picket…
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Workers deliver 99 per cent strike vote at Community Living North Halton

Workers deliver 99 per cent strike vote at Community Living North Halton

North Halton, Ontario – Workers at Community Living North Halton have given their union bargaining…
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Tentative agreement reached at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton

Tentative agreement reached at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton

Campbellford, Ontario – A tentative agreement has been reached between members of the Ontario Public…
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OPSEU President to attend weekend picket in Campbellford

OPSEU President to attend weekend picket in Campbellford

OPSEU President Thomas will be in Campbellford this Saturday for another rally on the picket…
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OPSEU protests managers crossing picket lines

OPSEU protests managers crossing picket lines

On Wednesday, OPSEU members from across the province came together to picket in front of…
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Striking members meet Minister Jaczek

Striking members meet Minister Jaczek

Joined by OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, members from Local 316, working at Community Living…
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Strike continues at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton as talks break down again

Strike continues at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton as talks break down again

Campbellford, Ontario – Negotiations between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and Community Living…
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Striking workers to 'set the record straight' at counter protest

Striking workers to 'set the record straight' at counter protest

Campbellford, Ontario – Striking union members at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton (CLCB) plan to leaflet outside…
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Radio ads rally community support for striking workers

Radio ads rally community support for striking workers

Campbellford, Ontario – New radio ads hit the airwaves today to rally community support for…
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Union to Community Living Campbellford/ Brighton: 'Let’s talk cars'

Union to Community Living Campbellford/ Brighton: 'Let’s talk cars'

Campbellford, Ontario – Union members working at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton (CLCB) are “willing to accept…
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OPSEU letter to Community Living Ontario and Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs

OPSEU letter to Community Living Ontario and Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs

Below is a letter from Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees…
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No deal: Strike continues in Local 316

No deal: Strike continues in Local 316

Campbellford, Ontario – Negotiations between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and Community Living…
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Solidarity rocks on Local 316 picket line

Solidarity rocks on Local 316 picket line

This morning, a small street in Campbellford was packed with people as OPSEU members came…
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Letter from Campbellford: a strike diary

Letter from Campbellford: a strike diary

OPSEU staff representative Richard Bradley wrote the following report as members of OPSEU Local 316…
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Local 316 strikers garnering massive support

Local 316 strikers garnering massive support

Striking workers at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton (Local 316) continue garnering public support, and are gearing…
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Workers at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton are 'revved up'

Workers at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton are 'revved up'

OPSEU members at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton are “revved up” and showing a united front on…
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Strike starts at midnight as staff at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton reject offer

Strike starts at midnight as staff at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton reject offer

Campbellford, Ontario – Nearly 100 union members at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton (CLCB) will be on…
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Campbellford/Brighton Food drive a success!

Campbellford/Brighton Food drive a success!

OPSEU members in Local 316 at Community Living Campbellford/Brighton are feeling energized after kicking off…
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Staff at Madawaska Valley ACL are 'fired up and ready' after 98 per cent strike vote

Staff at Madawaska Valley ACL are 'fired up and ready' after 98 per cent strike vote

Barry's Bay, Ontario – Union members at the Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living (MVACL)…
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Social services heroes look to the future

Social services heroes look to the future

The 1980s glam rock anthem “Final Countdown” blared over the sound system as the executive…
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Workers at Community Living Renfrew County South ratify agreement

Workers at Community Living Renfrew County South ratify agreement

Renfrew – Less than a week after reaching a tentative agreement, developmental services workers with…
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Workers at Community Living Renfrew County South reach first tentative agreement

Workers at Community Living Renfrew County South reach first tentative agreement

Renfrew – After 13 months of bargaining, some 100 developmental services workers with Community Living…
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Developmental services workers give thumbs-up to first contract

Developmental services workers give thumbs-up to first contract

Newmarket – Some 200 developmental services workers with Community Living Newmarket/Aurora District are celebrating after…
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Dogged effort yields first tentative contract

Dogged effort yields first tentative contract

Newmarket – Two and a half years after joining the Ontario Public Service Employees Union…
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OPSEU Local 472 delivers resounding strike vote

OPSEU Local 472 delivers resounding strike vote

Renfrew – Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union working at Community Living Renfrew…
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OPSEU members at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora give bargaining team strong strike mandate

OPSEU members at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora give bargaining team strong strike mandate

Newmarket/Aurora – Workers at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora have given their union bargaining team a 94…
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Community Living workers in Newmarket/Aurora stage information picket to demand fair contract

Community Living workers in Newmarket/Aurora stage information picket to demand fair contract

More than 20 workers at Community Living Newmarket-Aurora braved the wind and the rain to…
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Community Living Huronia Local 357 ratifies contract

Community Living Huronia Local 357 ratifies contract

Members of OPSEU Local 357 have ratified a new collective agreement with Community Living Huronia.…
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Local 357 to vote on tentative agreement Thursday, Sept. 3

Local 357 to vote on tentative agreement Thursday, Sept. 3

Workers at Community Living Huronia will vote on a tentative contract agreement this Thursday, Sept.…
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Local 357 to hold bargaining information sessions on Tuesday, August 25 in Midland

Local 357 to hold bargaining information sessions on Tuesday, August 25 in Midland

The Bargaining Team for Local 357 of Community Living Huronia will hold information sessions for…
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Union preparing for another strike at Participation Lodge

Union preparing for another strike at Participation Lodge

(Owen Sound, ON)  A second strike in three years is possible as talks broke down…
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Local 249 reaches tentative agreement; ratification vote Wednesday, July 22

Local 249 reaches tentative agreement; ratification vote Wednesday, July 22

Local 249’s 306 members of the Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS) reached a tentative…
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Workers at Participation Lodge reject tentative agreement and vote 97 per cent in favour of strike action

Workers at Participation Lodge reject tentative agreement and vote 97 per cent in favour of strike action

Developmental services workers at Participation Lodge voted against a tentative agreement (June 10) that would…
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Strike looms for Thunder Bay developmental service workers

Strike looms for Thunder Bay developmental service workers

Even though only a couple of issues remain on the bargaining table, more than 300…
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Bargaining impasse at Central West Specialized Developmental Services

Bargaining impasse at Central West Specialized Developmental Services

TORONTO – Services for hard to serve individuals with developmental disabilities in the Central West…
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Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #4 – December 2014

Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #4 – December 2014

Provincial framework for local negotiations announced OPSEU has called it a first step toward creating…
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Developmental services framework is start of stability for workers and people they support

Developmental services framework is start of stability for workers and people they support

(Toronto) – Recommendations agreed to by unions and employers in Ontario’s developmental services sector were…
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Cornwall action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

Cornwall action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

(Cornwall) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable…
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Thunder Bay action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

Thunder Bay action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

(Thunder Bay) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say…
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Midland action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

Midland action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

(Midland) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable…
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Toronto action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

Toronto action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

(Toronto) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable…
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Barry's Bay action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

Barry's Bay action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

(Barry's Bay) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say…
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Kingston action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

Kingston action planned to back provincial talks on wages and jobs for DS

(Kingston) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable…
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Provincial talks this week must yield change for some of Ontario’s lowest-paid workers

Provincial talks this week must yield change for some of Ontario’s lowest-paid workers

(Toronto) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable…
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Actions planned to back demands for better wages and good jobs in developmental services

Actions planned to back demands for better wages and good jobs in developmental services

OPSEU members who provide services and support for people with intellectual disabilities are planning actions…
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Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #1 – September 2014

Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #1 – September 2014

End the Crisis! Message from the Chair. OPSEU's developmental services workers have fought hard for…
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Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #3 – November 2014

Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #3 – November 2014

Discussions to continue for developmental services workers Employers and unions in Ontario's developmental services sector…
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Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #2 – November 2014

Developmental Services Bargaining Bulletin #2 – November 2014

Unions and employers are discussing promised $200 million Government facilitated talks around funds for developmental…
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Salvation Army Broadview Village developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

Salvation Army Broadview Village developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

More than 130 developmental services workers at Toronto's Salvation Army Broadview Village have given their…
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Developmental service agencies confirm shocking shortage of services

Developmental service agencies confirm shocking shortage of services

(TORONTO) – A province-wide survey of developmental service agencies confirms the crisis in services and…
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OPSEU files notice to bargain for Renfrew Home Support workers

OPSEU files notice to bargain for Renfrew Home Support workers

RENFREW – OPSEU has filed notice to bargain the first collective agreement for unionized staff…
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Picton developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

Picton developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

More than 160 Picton developmental services workers have given their employer and the province a…
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Peterborough developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

Peterborough developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

(PETERBOROUGH)  More than 180 Peterborough developmental services workers have given their employer and the province…
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Barry's Bay developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

Barry's Bay developmental services strike vote is call for promised funding

(BARRY'S BAY) 90 Barry's Bay developmental services workers have given their employer and the province…
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Developmental Services Sector Chair visits locals across the province

Developmental Services Sector Chair visits locals across the province

Developmental Services sector chair Patti Markland is on the road this month visiting several OPSEU…
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Midland developmental services strike vote is a call for promised funding

Midland developmental services strike vote is a call for promised funding

(MIDLAND) More than 200 Midland developmental services workers have given their employer and the province…
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Thunder Bay developmental services strike votes are a call for promised funding

Thunder Bay developmental services strike votes are a call for promised funding

(THUNDER BAY) More than 500 Thunder Bay developmental services workers have given their employers and…
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Back by popular demand! Order DS t-shirts online until February.

Back by popular demand! Order DS t-shirts online until February.

OPSEU Developmental Services shirts are available for online orders again! Order your “Dignity is Not…
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Community Living Renfrew County South chooses OPSEU

Community Living Renfrew County South chooses OPSEU

In a vote on Aug. 18, workers at Community Living Renfrew County South voted in…
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OPSEU celebrates Developmental Services Workers Appreciation Day

OPSEU celebrates Developmental Services Workers Appreciation Day

Dear members of the OPSEU Developmental Services Sector, On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, OPSEU stands…
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Developmental Services workers across Ontario deliver clear message: “Dignity is not optional”

Developmental Services workers across Ontario deliver clear message: “Dignity is not optional”

A province-wide Developmental Services Day of Action on May 27 let politicians, media and communities…
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50 OPSEU developmental services locals to bargain new contract

50 OPSEU developmental services locals to bargain new contract

50 OPSEU Developmental Services locals will serve a Notice to Bargain to their respective employers…
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Events

Ontario Autism Coalition protest outside of Queen's Park: Group photo

Queen’s Park protest against the new Ontario Autism Program

Thursday, March 7, 2019
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
111 Wellesley Street West
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2018 Community Services Divisional Bargaining Conference

Wednesday, November 21, 2018
to Friday, November 23, 2018
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
123 Queen Street West
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Province-wide rallies to ‘Raise the Bar’ for developmental services workers

Friday, April 6, 2018
12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
212 Bysham Drive
Raise the Bar

Developmental Services rally at Minister Michael Coteau’s office

Friday, March 2, 2018
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
1200 Lawrence Avenue East, Suite L02
Developmental Services Logo

Avenue II workers rally ahead of possible lockout

Wednesday, September 13, 2017
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
122 Cumberland Street South
Developmental Services Logo

Central West Specialized Developmental Services info picket marks countdown to strike or lockout

Wednesday, August 23, 2017
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
53 Bond St.

Information

Pay equity: a Q&A

Pay equity: a Q&A

30 Years and still waiting: An OPSEU developmental services plan to achieve proxy pay equity OPSEU is taking the fight…
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Join the campaign!

Join the campaign!

Please find below the petition asking Premier Wynne to step up and start funding and enforcing pay equity. You will also…
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OPSEU's letter to Community Living Tillsonburg's legal counsel regarding outstanding pay equity payments

OPSEU's letter to Community Living Tillsonburg's legal counsel regarding outstanding pay equity payments

February 6, 2017 Mr. Tim Price Little, Inglis, Price and Ewer LLP 148 Wortley Road London, ON   N6C 3P5 Re: OPSEU…
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OPSEU EBM Drew Finucane speaks to pre-budget committee

OPSEU EBM Drew Finucane speaks to pre-budget committee

Good afternoon. My name is Drew Finucane, Regional Vice-President for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union for Region 2, which…
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Employer survey backs up need for higher wages, stable earnings for developmental services workers

Employer survey backs up need for higher wages, stable earnings for developmental services workers

An employer group polled developmental services agencies across Ontario about pressures on their operations. A big one: recruiting and retaining…
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Developmental Services 2014 Bargaining Index

Developmental Services 2014 Bargaining Index

For complete Developmental Services 2014 Bargaining Information and the latest updates, please visit our Dev Services Bargaining 2014 Index page…
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Did Premier Wynne get your postcard?

Did Premier Wynne get your postcard?

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has been getting a lot of these "End the Crisis" postcards lately. Premier Wynne needs to keep…
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Union aims for better pay, good jobs in Dec. 11 and 12 talks

Union aims for better pay, good jobs in Dec. 11 and 12 talks

Have you seen this developmental services bargaining 2014 poster on your workplace bulletin board? If not, you can print it…
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Union aims for better pay, good jobs in Dec. 11 and 12 talks

Union aims for better pay, good jobs in Dec. 11 and 12 talks

Have you seen this developmental services bargaining 2014 poster on your workplace bulletin board? If not, you can print it…
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"Isn't it time the bosses tried something new?"

"Isn't it time the bosses tried something new?"

Unstable jobs, part-time hours and low pay cause high turnover of developmental services workers. Good jobs and decent pay lead…
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Stay in touch

Stay in touch

Here are key contacts for developmental services workers who are OPSEU members. Collective agreements for most of them expired in…
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Developmental Services Bargaining 2011 Newsletters

Developmental Services Bargaining 2011 Newsletters

Fund Quality Programs Now! Workers call for solidarity on 6th annual Developmental Services Worker Appreciation Day November 29, 2011 Pattern Bargaining…
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Developmental Services 2011 Bargaining Bulletins and Information

Developmental Services 2011 Bargaining Bulletins and Information

Fund Quality Programs Now! Workers call for solidarity on 6th annual Developmental Services Worker Appreciation Day November 29, 2011 Pattern Bargaining…
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Please act now to fund Ontario’s developmental services!

Please act now to fund Ontario’s developmental services!

Letter-writing action: Help “Seal the Deal” Tell the Minister of Finance, Dwight Duncan, to invest in Developmental Services today! The…
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Celebrate Developmental Services Worker Appreciation Day: June 19, 2013

Celebrate Developmental Services Worker Appreciation Day: June 19, 2013

This year we are calling on the Ontario Premier to invest in Developmental Services, because it"s worth it. Worker Appreciation…
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Contacts

Scott Collins
Secretary / Treasurer
Email: sscottsnest@sympatico.ca
Erin Smith-Rice
PHRC Board Liaison,Rainbow Alliance Liaison
Chair
Work: OPSEU x5872
Cell: 807-627-8709
Email: last2know23@hotmail.com
Stephen Woods
Vice-Chair 2A
Email: stephen.v.woods@icloud.com
Silvana Cacciatore
Vice-Chair 2B
Email: silvanatbcf@hotmail.com
Wendy Nield
Vice-Chair 2C
Email: wenshannon@hotmail.com
Kelly Holmes
Communications Rep
Email: presidentl386@gmail.com
Courtney Huycke
Health & Safety Rep
Email: c.pickell08@hotmail.com
Karen McKinnon
Bargaining Rep-at-Large
Email: anniemoley@hotmail.com

Your Employer

Select an item from this list for content specific to your employer.

Access Community Services Inc

Aptus Treatment Centre

Avenue II Community Program Services (Thunder Bay) Inc

Bruce Peninsula Association For Community Living

Central West Specialized Developmental Services

Cochrane Temiskaming Resource Centre

Community Living Campbellford / Brighton

Community Living Elgin

Community Living Greater Sudbury

Community Living Huntsville

Community Living Huronia

Community Living Iroquois Falls

Community Living Lennox & Addington

Community Living London

Community Living Newmarket Aurora

Community Living North Halton

Community Living Parry Sound

Community Living Peterborough

Community Living Prince Edward

Community Living Quinte West

Community Living Thunder Bay

Community Living Tillsonburg

Elmira & District Association for Community Living

Integration Communautaire Cochrance Community Living

Kenora Association For Community Living

Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living

Mains Ouvertes / Open Hands Inc

Montage Support Services of Metropolitan Toronto

New Frontiers Support Services

Ongwanada Hospital - Professional / O&C / Service

Ongwanada Hospital - RNs

Participation Lodge Grey Bruce

Reena

Salvation Army Broadview Village

Surex Community Services