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'Every B.C. community depends on community social services workers.' - BCGEU.
Vancouver (3 March 2010) - More than 60,000 British Columbians work in the community social services (CSS) sector. Roughly 15,000 are unionized. They work in shelters, drop-in centres, supported housing, sexual assault centres, transition houses and child care facilities.
They are also employed in victims' services and violence prevention programs and they provide counselling and employment training, as well as outreach, advocacy and referral services.
Every B.C. community depends on community social services workers. That's why the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has declared March Community Social Services Awareness Month. This is an annual campaign and an ongoing joint initiative of unions in the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA). The aim is to raise the profile of the community social services sector and build greater public support for the important work performed by the CSS sector.
BCGEU is reaching out to all members to get involved in the annual campaign.
"I encourage you to take part in activities planned in your area," says Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.
"We're also trying to get governments involved. We're urging members of the provincial legislature to recognize March as Community Social Services Awareness Month across B.C. We've also requested municipal councils designate March as Community Social Services Awareness Month.
Vancouver, Langford, Oak Bay, Kelowna, Nelson, Central Saanich, Parksville, Trail and Campbell River councils have already made the proclamation. So has the Comox Valley Regional District.
"We expect many more proclamations in the coming days," says Walker.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE