'We can win this and achieve fairness for all developmental services workers across Ontario.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas
Toronto (27 July 2007) - Developmental services workers across Ontario are making their voices heard.
In their fight for fair wages and working conditions, the members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) have picketed nearly every pre-election event staged by the Liberal party of Premier Dalton McGuinty and his MPPs. Ontario goes to the polls Oct. 10.
More than 1,000 developmental services workers in London, Chatham, St. Thomas and Strathroy have been on strike for more than a month. The strike escalated this week to a new region of the province when 44 workers at Community Living Meaford hit picket lines.
“This is a once in a lifetime chance to achieve fairness for all workers in developmental services,” says Sue Walker, chair of OPSEU’s 6,600 member developmental services sector. "Wages in developmental services are 25-30% less than for similar work in other fields."
“You have all the solidarity and support of OPSEU members in the Broader Public Service (BPS) for your efforts to achieve fairness for workers in your sector,” adds Jamie Ramage, OPSEU's BPS chair.
OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas has spent many hours on picket lines, accompanying pickets to various events in several areas, including a trip to Ottawa earlier this week.
“I’ve seen the incredible spirit on the lines and I know you have the determination to win this and make the historic gains necessary for your sector,” Thomas has told his members. “Our strategy is working. We can win this and achieve fairness for all developmental services workers across Ontario.” NUPGE
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