Fifth annual celebration of the important work of people who care for and support individuals with developmental disabilities.

Toronto (19 Jan. 2011) - January 19 marks the fifth annual Developmental Services: Worker Appreciation Day.

Communities across Ontario are celebrating the important work of people who care for and support individuals with developmental disabilities.

This year marks an achievement that has been 20 years in the making. Unions, employers and government are pursuing talks to arrive at a provincial process to bargain improvements in working conditions for developmental services workers.

“Workers have been waiting for years to hear that the province is serious about making developmental services work a career choice in Ontario,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).

“What better time to recognize the potential to promote decent jobs and quality services than on this day?”

The majority of workers in developmental services are women, most part-time. Many still do not have pensions or benefits.

Developmental services workers in community-based agencies provide professional care to people with developmental disabilities through programs designed to enrich their lives in every way possible. The work they do is varied: providing life skills and other training, support with basic personal tasks and administering medications. Developmental services workers also provide support to individuals in community residences and in their own homes.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE