FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2005
93% strike vote leaves care for developmentally disabled in jeopardy
TORONTO - Workers at Surex Community Services are set to walk off the job as of 12:01 a.m. July 6 after voting 93 per cent to reject the employer’s final offer of one per cent over two years.
“Most of our members make less than $15 an hour,” said John Keating, president of OPSEU local 5102. “A 15-cent raise isn’t going to buy a cup of coffee, let alone help us pay our bills.”
Workers at Surex provide residential and day program supports for 75 people with developmental disabilities in Scarborough and East York. Funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Surex Community Services operates nine residential group homes and a day program centre.
“In the past we’ve put our clients first and avoided going on strike because we know how much they need us,” Keating said. “Now our wages are so low, we’re barely scraping by.”
According to a recent report released by the Metro Agencies Representatives Council, wages in the sector have fallen well below equivalent positions paid by municipalities, school boards and hospitals.
“Our members are a dedicated group of professionals who are proud of the care they provide,” said OPSEU President Leah Casselman. “No one wants a strike or disruption in services, but we’re not going to stand by while working conditions deteriorate.”
OPSEU represents more than 8,000 workers who care for people with developmental disabilities in 65 community agencies and three provincially-run facilities.
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For more information, please contact:
Judy Storey-Paul, OPSEU Staff Representative: 416-928-2481
John Keating, OPSEU local 5102 president: 416-557-2030
