Developmental Services: Dignity is not optional

Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the Ford government is trying to score cheap political points on the backs of families who have children with autism. “I’m not the only one who thinks so,” said Thomas. “Kitchener MPP Amy Fee helped announce the government’s terrible scheme to cut and privatize autism services. But...

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas released this message today to all members of OPSEU Sector 2 to mark Developmental Services Appreciation Day. Dear friends: Today is Developmental Services Appreciation Day. On behalf of the 155,000 members of this great union, I want to thank you for your commitment and your compassion. You make life better...

The people who provide developmental services will be rallying in communities across the province tomorrow, pressuring community agencies and the provincial government to address the inadequate funding and precarious working conditions that put the entire system at risk. “The government knows the developmental services system needs a massive overhaul, but it is refusing to act,”...

TORONTO – The Ontario government’s announcement that waitlists are eliminated for people with developmental disabilities receiving services at home obscures a deeper problem, according to the union that represents about 12,000 developmental service workers. Ontario Public Service Employees Union President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said in reality developmental services in Ontario are in a crisis of...

Provincial framework for local negotiations announced OPSEU has called it a first step toward creating stability for developmental services workers and the people they support. It's a provincial framework for implementing wage increases and for resolving long-term and structural problems in the sector. Wage increase funds promised by the Ontario Government for frontline workers will...

(Toronto) – Recommendations agreed to by unions and employers in Ontario’s developmental services sector were endorsed over the weekend by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. It’s the first step toward creating desperately-needed stability for workers and the people they support, said the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). “We are happy to announce...

(Cornwall) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable conditions in the sector must change, and employers have an opportunity to make that happen in discussions this week with unions in the sector.  OPSEU members have planned actions in towns and cities across Ontario to show employers they are...

(Thunder Bay) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable conditions in the sector must change, and employers have an opportunity to make that happen in discussions this week with unions in the sector.  OPSEU members have planned actions in towns and cities across Ontario to show employers they...

(Midland) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable conditions in the sector must change, and employers have an opportunity to make that happen in discussions this week with unions in the sector.  OPSEU members have planned actions in towns and cities across Ontario to show employers they are...

(Toronto) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable conditions in the sector must change, and employers have an opportunity to make that happen in discussions this week with unions in the sector.  OPSEU members have planned actions in towns and cities across Ontario to show employers they are...

(Barry's Bay) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable conditions in the sector must change, and employers have an opportunity to make that happen in discussions this week with unions in the sector.  OPSEU members have planned actions in towns and cities across Ontario to show employers they...

(Kingston) – Workers who provide care and support for people with developmental disabilities say unstable conditions in the sector must change, and employers have an opportunity to make that happen in discussions this week with unions in the sector.  OPSEU members have planned actions in towns and cities across Ontario to show employers they are...