Central Bargaining talks broke off last week at the Developmental Services Provincial Discussion Table. The parties realized that they had more work to do around funding for the sector.

Bargaining teams for both OPSEU and CUPE had been hopeful about arriving at a first time ever centrally negotiated agreement in Developmental Services late last week.

The unions have some real concerns that COMSOC’s current funding mandate is unrealistic in maintaining the current level of service the sector delivers to its vulnerable clients.

The employers and the Ministry both need to realize that this sector is at a cross roads,  one where all stakeholderscan agree to work together to solve the systemic issuesthey face or where the service will continue to slip backwards and fail one of societies most vulnerable groups.

OPSEU and CUPE remain committed to negotiations and have kept the door open for COMSOC and the employers to return to the negotiating table.

The Liberal government is bringing their pre-election budget to the legislature in two weeks. OPSEU membersmust insist that funding be directed to developmental services to pressure the parties back to the table.

The membership of this sector cannot afford to wait through another provincial budget and another provincial election with more inaction. OPSEU will be mounting a campaign to urge the government to do the right thing and urgently improve services and funding to this sector. More details will follow through mobilizers and the sectorexecutive.

Developmental Services Central Bargaining Team