Media Advisory - Frontenac mental health workers to stage info picket today

KINGSTON, ON, Nov. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Front line staff at Frontenac Community Mental Health and Addiction Services are calling upon the province to properly fund its vision of community care during an information picket at 11:30 am today outside of 552 Princess St., Kingston. 

The 120 workers are upset that the community mental health agency is receiving less funding than it did than the last fiscal year.  This is despite increased pressure on the agency due to downsizing at Providence Care psychiatric hospital.

"The province has a vision for delivering more health care services in the community, but they are not providing the necessary funding to make that happen," says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of the 130,000-member Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "It's not just needed funding for the programs, but funding to ensure agencies can retain good staff through competitive wages, benefits and working conditions." 

Staff at the agency say their families have already sacrificed to help the province deal with its budget deficit. It's time wages kept pace with the increased costs their own families are experiencing. 

Members of OPSEU 489 will be handing out letters to the community on Monday, November 4 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at 552 Princess Street, Kingston. 

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Greg Hamara
OPSEU Communications
1-800-268-7376