Sudbury & Manitoulin CAS workers mark Pink Shirt Day April 14

SUDBURY, ON, April 13 /CNW/ - Children's Aid Society staff in Sudbury and Manitoulin will wear pink clothing to work on Wednesday in their bid to draw attention to the problem of bullying in the community.

"Despite some progress in raising public awareness the fact is bullying remains a problem in our schools, workplaces, homes and over the internet," said Jane Kaija, president of Local 668 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) which represents about 200 staff members at the Sudbury CAS.

OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas will visit members at the Sudbury CAS on Apr. 14.

"I'm looking forward to meeting our members in Sudbury and hearing first-hand the situation in this community. Bullying is one aspect of violence in the workplace and organized labour can take considerable credit for legislative changes that have been adopted to address this problem," said Thomas, referring to the passage of Bill 168 which goes into effect this year.

Now celebrating its third anniversary, National Pink Shirt Day was started by a group of teenage boys in Nova Scotia in support of another boy who was the victim of bullying. The day is marked across Canada by students and adults alike, who share the slogan "Bullying Stops Here!"

Unionized staff of the Sudbury and Manitoulin CAS are members of OPSEU's Community Services division which represents more than 11,500 workers in child protection and mental health services, child treatment centres, developmental service agencies, women's shelters, daycares and youth correction centres.

For further information: Jane Kaija, OPSEU Local 668 Sudbury, [phone]