Community Social Service strike in Terrace today, Kootenays this week

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Caring professionals at agencies that support children and adults with developmental disabilities and provide numerous other community services will be on strike this week in Terrace and the Kootenays. Their message to the B.C. Liberal government:  stop putting vulnerable families last!

The following community agencies will be on strike and behind picket lines this week:

Tuesday November 6

• Terrace District Community Services Society
• 200 - 3219 Eby Street, Terrace
• 4530 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace

Wednesday November 7

• W. J. Stelmaschuk and Associates Ltd (WJS)
• several locations in the Kootenays
• Kootenay East Youth Program, Cranbrook
• Stepping Out Program
• 34B 11th Avenue South, Cranbrook
• Community Connections of SE BC
• 100-125 10 Ave S, Cranbrook
• Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kootenays
• 39 13th Avenue South, Cranbrook

Thursday November 8

• Creston & District Society for Community Living
• 105 - 8th Avenue S, Creston
• supporters will march from here to the CLBC office at 224 10^th Avenue North for a 12:00 noon rally
• Castlegar and District Community Services
• 1007 2nd Street, Castlegar
• Kootenay Family Place
• 767 11th Avenue Castlegar
• Neighbourhood House and Hobbitt Hill Childcare
• Trail Family & Individual Resource Centre Society (TrailFAIR)
• 2079 Columbia Avenue, Trail
• Nelson Community Services Society
• 201-518 Lake Street, Nelson
• Cicada Place Youth Services and Housing
• 605A Lake Street, Nelson

Since 2004, the B.C. Liberal government has slashed $300 million in funding for programs that support the developmentally disabled, vulnerable women, at-risk youth, and children and infants in community-based programs across the province.

Community social service workers have faced a decade of declining wages. The current starting wage for a residential care worker is $15.54 an hour. In 2002, it was $16.83. Factoring in inflation, that's a 22 per cent wage cut over the past decade.

Since October 16, rotating strike action in community social services has impacted agencies in Vancouver, Kamloops, Prince George and Victoria.

There are 15,000 unionized workers in the community social services sector, represented by BCGEU, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, HEU, HSA and five other unions, which together make up the Community Social Services Bargaining Association.

Essential services levels are being maintained during this job action.

SOURCE: B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union

Evan Stewart, BCGEU Communications, [phone]
Download strike information leaflet
Check out: www.cssfairdeal.ca