MGEU launches important child welfare campaign in Manitoba

Union releases poll information from workers on the front lines as well as public polling data showing widespread concern about lack of funding and resources

Winnipeg (20 March 2008) - Over the past several years, the effectiveness of Manitoba’s child welfare system has been debated by judges, parents, police, foster parents, social service agencies, government officials, and the media.

Absent from these discussions have been those who work on the front lines every day - Manitoba child and family services (CFS) workers. These are the people who see first hand what the challenges and successes truly are.

In an effort to give a voice to these workers, an important poll has been undertaken by the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE). For for the first time workers have been asked directly what they see as their greatest challenges in serving Manitoba’s most vulnerable citizens.

“Child and family social workers are mandated by government not to discuss workplace issues,” says MGEU president Peter Olfert. “It is time they had the opportunity to speak about some of the major issues that affect them, and subsequently to let the public know more about what they face each day.”

Olfert says the results of MGEU's pioneering work on the issue underline what the union has been talking about for years: concerns about mounting workloads and health and safety issues, insufficient resources, and ever-changing policies that create stress and confusion for both workers and the families they serve.

Highest caseloads in Canada

Based on research with other unions representing workers in this sector, Manitoba child and family social workers have the highest number of caseloads in Canada, Olfert says.

The poll was based on interviews with 100 child and family social workers, representing approximately 30% of the total number of workers employed in child welfare in Manitoba. To view the entire results of the poll, visit www.mgeu.mb.ca.

In addition, as part of this project, a public opinion poll was also commissioned by MGEU which asked the general public questions about such things as the government’s handling of child welfare issues and the importance they place on the work done by child and family social workers.

"The poll shows that people are concerned about a lack of funding and resources being provided by government to allow social workers to do their jobs more effectively,” Olfert says. “I think there is some money there that’s been announced by government in the recent past, but it needs to be invested in front-line workers and to date it hasn’t been.”

The public poll also underlines that people have a very high regard for the men and women who provide service to children and families. Manitobans clearly understand that despite the best efforts of child and family social workers there will be instances from time to time where children are going to be hurt or abused.

"Child and family social workers work extremely hard to protect children and assist families, but tragedies will unfortunately occur no matter what they do or how diligent they are,” Olfert adds. "It is very unfortunate for those who work in the field that we only hear about them when something goes wrong. The public rarely gets a glimpse of the success stories.”

During March and early April, MGEU is airing two television ads that feature former clients of child and family services talking about the positive influence child welfare workers had in their lives. The ads, developed with significant input and guidance from child and family social workers, can also be viewed on the union's website.

“Manitobans can and should be proud of the work these people do under the most difficult of circumstances,” Olfert says. “Their dedication to and compassion for the kids and families they serve is very special. I hope this advertising campaign will remind the public, as well as child and family social workers, that they make a real difference and deserve our thanks.” NUPGE