OPSEU Developmental Services Worker Appreciation Day 2008
 

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union celebrates January 16, 2008 as Developmental Services Sector Worker Appreciation Day.

The day was set to recognize the dedication and support that workers all over Ontario provide in the field of developmental services and to raise awareness in our community of the issues facing Developmental Service providers. This is the second annual Appreciation Day held for the sector.

“This day is set aside to let you know that your work matters - to the people you support, to their families and to your community as a whole.  The difference you make in people’s lives is immeasurable,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.

In OPSEU, 2007 marked a major watershed. Workers in seven Ontario agencies were forced to go on strike to improve working conditions and to make substantial long-term improvements to the living conditions for the people they support.

Through all our hard work, we accomplished a huge victory convincing the government to increase funding to the sector by $200 million and winning significant wage increases for our members and everyone working in the field. We still have more work to do to ensure adequate funding, but our work in 2007 made huge improvements in the lives of our members and the people we support.

Staff in developmental services are finding themselves under increasing pressure due to funding shortfalls, but members continue to be devoted to the people they support and their families.

“Our members are dedicated to the people we support through our work,” said Thomas. “The appreciation extends to all workers in the Developmental Service Sector supporting children and adults and their families in communities across the province.”