Monday 22 December 2014

Developmental Services has a framework towards stability


Developmental services framework is start of stability for workers and people they support

Publication Date:
Monday, December 22, 2014 - 12:00pm
(Toronto) – Recommendations agreed to by unions and employers in Ontario’s developmental services sector were endorsed over the weekend by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. It’s the first step toward creating desperately-needed stability for workers and the people they support, said the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).


“We are happy to announce a provincial framework for local negotiations,” said OPSEU Developmental Services Chair Patti Markland. “The local unions will go to their own bargaining tables to build on what we’ve accomplished so far together.”

OPSEU has lobbied the Ontario Government for increased funding to agencies to end the crisis in the sector. The government had allocated $180 million to improve wages for frontline workers who support people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Employers confirmed in their own province-wide survey that they can’t attract and retain skilled and professional staff with such poor hours and earnings. Lower staff turnover means better continuity of service.
The agreement means the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) can soon begin the rollout of that $180 million. All frontline workers benefit from the general wage increases. A fifth of the $180 million is earmarked to further help the lowest-paid workers. If agency employers and local unions have no agreement on wages by June 1, 2015, MCSS will roll out flat rate increases.
“We have more than 50 locals in bargaining, and they will hold employers to that agreement for wage increases. The Ministry will transfer the money to agencies for wages, not for other agency expenses,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “Other local issues will be resolved independent of those wage improvements. Long-term and structural problems, including health and safety in the sector will be dealt with by way of a Developmental Services Advisory Group’s recommendations to MCSS.”
DS workers are among the lowest-paid in Ontario. Two-thirds are part-time or casual, about double the rate in the overall working population. Some of them earn less than the targeted minimum wage of $14 an hour.  Several OPSEU locals voted with near unanimity to take strike action if necessary in their local contract negotiations. Their key issues include converting part-time hours to full-time jobs, same pay for same job, pensions, and WSIB.
OPSEU, which represents 12,000 developmental services workers, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, took part in discussions with employers.
For information:
Patti Markland, Chair, OPSEU Developmental Services, 613.848.6016
Sheila Keenan: OPSEU Communications and Campaigns, 416.802.1251,skeenan@opseu.org

Wednesday 10 December 2014

TOP TEN WAYS TO SUPPORT DS IN SOLIDARITY

The Ministry of Community and Social Services is ready to distribute the funding promised to Developmental Services frontline staff for wage increases. On December 11th and 12th it will be time for our employers to support the wage increases as promised. Below are ten ways you can participate in solidarity actions happening across the province.

1)  Wear a blue shirt and a DS sticker take a picture and send it to :
      opseu.sector2@gmail.com 


2) Take a trip to your agencies head office wearing blue & a sticker & take pictures sending them to:
     opseu.sector2@gmail.com


3) Bring a small gift to the person in charge of your agency with a small note saying:
"This is a gift for you.....You say we deserve fair wage increases gift us with what we deserve , send an e mail or make a call to OASIS and let them know that you support your frontline getting what they have been promised"

4) Contact your local LEC or go to OPSEU's  website under developmental services link and find a information picket near you that you can attend

5) Get a group together and do a walk an sing through your agencies head office , print off copies of the lyrics to In Solidarity and sing it loud and proud
Take  pictures sending them to:
  opseu.sector2@gmail.com 


6) Follow the sector on twitter @dsbecausewecare and retweet our tweets or tweet out solidarity shout outs
Example tweet:
@OASIS Stabilize wages in the DS sector today #opseu #onpoli #dsdignity

7) Organize a group of members to call or e mail the person in charge of your agency reminding them that the funding promise was for front line and ask them to let OASIS know that they support the funding to go to frontline staff

8) Flag your agencies head office with blue balloons and leaflets ( your highest ranking officer will have received material to do this contact them today)
Take  pictures sending them to:
  opseu.sector2@gmail.com 


9) leaflet holiday events over the next two days with posters
Take pictures sending them to:
   opseu.sector2@gmail.com 


10) At any training or meetings over the next two days bring your collective agreement, the posters, the leaflets, wear a sticker,  make it all visible