May 19th declared Personal Support Worker Day by the Government of Ontario

TORONTO, May 19 /CNW/ - Today marks the first ever day in honour of the province's Personal Support Workers (PSW). The day recognizes the essential service PSWs provide in sustaining our health care system and providing a high quality of community and home-based care.

SEIU Local 1 Canada will be commemorating Ontario's first-ever PSW Day by sending a delegation of SEIU PSWs to Queens Park to speak with Minister of Health, Deb Matthews, cabinet ministers, as well as Liberal, New Democrat and Conservative MPPs about the state of Ontario's home care system. In addition, the delegates will advocate for increased investment, training, education, and standards for PSWs across the province.

"This day salutes the hard work and care PSWs provide for our sick, elderly and disabled friends and family members every day." says Sharleen Stewart, President of SEIU Local 1 Canada. "Acknowledging PSWs means more than thanking them, it means helping them provide a high quality of care and fixing the holes that exist in our home care system. Quality jobs for PSWs will further a high quality of home-based care. Our members have front-line experience and they have concerns and suggestions that will help change this system for the better."

SEIU Local 1 represents more that 7,000 PSWs across Ontario.

For further information: www.seiulocal1.org or contact: Eoin Callan at [email protected], [phone] ext. 2026