Developmental services workers will hold "$810-million parties" on Budget Day

TORONTO, April 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Developmental service workers in Ontario are holding "budget parties" on Thursday, May 1 to celebrate both the promise of funds for the sector and their vow to ensure the funds are put to the best use.

"When the Liberal government said their 2014 budget will include $810 million for developmental services, it was in response to the determined efforts of those who work in the sector and the people they support and their families," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

"Now, those same workers who worked so hard with the 'We Can Afford to Care' campaign to get this far are determined to see that the Liberals keep their promise."

OPSEU's chair of developmental services, Patti Markland, is a DSW at Community Living Prince Edward. Markland explained the three best ways to alleviate the crisis caused by many years of underfunding.

"The money promised by the Liberal government has to come now, not over a number of years. It must go to not-for-profit agencies that provide professional, planned, and stable services. And it has to stop the high turnover among developmental service workers to provide continuity of care for the people they support and their families," said Markland.

OPSEU represents more than 10,000 DS workers across the province. More than two-thirds are part-time.

Budget parties and contacts:

Owen Sound, Deb Powell, 519.387.2351

Rossmore, Patti Markland, 613.848.6016

Sudbury, Dave Lalonde, 705.677.7587

Thunder Bay, Erin Rice, 807.627.8709

SOURCE: OPSEU

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President, 613.329.1931
Patti Markland, OPSEU Developmental Services Sector Chair, 613.848.6016
Sheila Keenan, OPSEU Campaigns, 416.802.1251, [email protected]