Protest walks by disability support workers across Ontario

Ontario caseloads more than twice the national average

Toronto (22 May 2008) - Frustrated by the Ontario government’s indifference to the problem of ill health in the workplace, caused by severe stress, hundreds of Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) staff members will take part in a noon hour Walk for a Healthy Workplace on Thursday, May 22.

The purpose of the walks, organized by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), is to draw public attention to health problems suffered by ODSP workers as a result of caseload levels that are more than twice the national average.

All walks will start and end at local ODSP offices. They will be held in more than 40 communities across the province. For a list of communities please click here.

A 2007 report paid for by the Ontario government found that ODSP workers suffer from high levels of stress, tension, ill health and high absentee rates caused by a caseload burden far more severe than in other provinces.

An ODSP income support specialist is responsible for an average of 530 cases. This compares with a national average of about 250.

More than 325,000 ODSP clients and their families rely on the public services of the ODSP. All struggle to survive on incomes below the poverty line. They are not receiving the level of public services they deserve. NUPGE