Unionized Community Living workers, with OPSEU Local 316, rallied in Campbellford on April 6, 2018. (Photo: Submitted)
Local unionized workers with Community Living rallied in Campbellford Friday.
OPSEU Local 316 workers were outside of the Community Living office participating in one of several rallies across the province, representing more than 11,000 developmental service workers.
The rally was intended to put pressure on the government and community agencies to fix funding issues and improve precarious work conditions.
Among the action the group wants taken
1. Increase full time jobs, as the sector is classified as 75% part-time and many of those need to work multiple jobs in order to earn a living wage.
2. Increase base funding for agencies. There has not been an increase to base funding since 2009. Even though the government has released their budget, it has not been spelled out how monies will be spent. A commitment of $55 million of that money is needed to fund the new Employment Standards Act changes for bill 148.
3. Regulate the passport program and hold people accountable for how that money is billed and spent, in order to protect the people that are supported.
The Ontario Ombudsman recommended an overhaul of the community support system in 2016.
