Developmental services workers demand that societies most vulnerable don't pay for the economic crisis

Provincial governments across Canada looking to cut valued social services to some of societies most vulnerable people.

Ottawa (09 May 2012) - Developmental services workers, members of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), will be meeting in Ottawa on May 10 and 11 to discuss a wide range of issues.  

One of the issues to be discussed is the growing threat of provincial governments across the country cutting the funding to services for people with developmental disabilities. Those who work in developmental services worry that this will result in some of societies most vulnerable people being forced to pay for an economic crisis they had no part in creating.

"These workers struggle day in and day out to support people with disabilities," said NUPGE's National President James Clancy. "As provinces make funding cuts to their agencies, these workers are finding it harder and harder to deliver these important quality services."

"It doesn't have to be this way," explained Clancy. "The money is there, if only the federal and provincial governments make it a greater priority. With greater tax fairness we can ensure the resources are there to help some of the most vulnerable Canadians receive the support they need to live full and meaningful lives. And by tax fairness we mean ending corporate tax cuts and making the top 1% income earners pay their fair share."

The workers will be discussing NUPGE's All Together Now! campaign as well as a range of workplace issues including health and safety, the threat of privatization and staff-client working ratios.

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