Children’s Aid Societies mark
“Violence Awareness Week”
February 26, 2007
OPSEU is
fighting back against violence in the workplace with a week of
activities to increase public awareness of this key health and safety
issue.
Every day,
about 2,500 OPSEU members working in Children’s Aid Societies are at
risk of being the victims of violence in the workplace. This week, CAS
workers across the province mark Violence Awareness Week.
On Feb.
26, Ontario CAS agencies will receive a letter from OPSEU President Leah
Casselman, urging them as employers to address the issue of workplace
violence.
“We hope
this concerted, co-operative effort to examine, discuss and improve
workplace violence prevention strategies will make all CAS workplaces
safer for child welfare workers performing this important job in
Ontario,” Casselman said.
“During
Violence Awareness Week OPSEU members will be putting workplace violence
on Joint Health and Safety Committee agendas all over Ontario. We intend
to discuss this issue and work with our employers to develop better
prevention strategies,” said Rick Pybus, provincial chair for OPSEU’s
CAS sector.
Child
welfare workers make difficult decisions affecting families and
children. As well as acting in an enforcement capacity, they face other
risk factors, such as working alone in the community, working irregular
hours, and working with clients that face many difficult challenges.
For
further information contact:
Rick
Pybus, CAS Executive Chair,
rbpybus@yahoo.com
Luisa Quarta, Campaigns Officer, (416) 443-8888 ext. 8207
