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First province in Canada to join with dozens of municipalities in celebrating the contribution CSS workers make to communities across the country.
Winnipeg (9 Nov. 2009) - The Manitoba government joined dozens of individual communities across Canada this year in recognizing Nov. 6 as Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day.
To celebrate the occasion approximately 100 community social service (CSS) workers and their guests joined Gord Mackintosh, minister of family services and housing, and Peter Olfert, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE), to present an official proclamation at the provincial legislature.
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Gord Mackintosh, minister of family services and housing, and Peter Olfert, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, present proclamation for Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day at the provincial legislature. |
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The MGEU represents many community CSS workers throughout Manitoba. Olfert outlined the vital contribution they make to the quality of life for all Manitobans.
"Every day, and often through the night, CSS workers care for a living through their jobs. They help guide our most vulnerable children, teens and families," he said.
"They see the ability in people living with disabilities. They give refuge to the abused, the addicted and the disenfranchised. Through their work, they are the anchor of our civil society. That's why we felt it was so important to bring you all together here today to shine a spotlight on your work and to acknowledge your vital contribution to our province."
Dozens of communities and cities throughout the country celebrated CSS Day this year. Manitoba has now become the first province to make an official proclamation on this day.
The idea for an occasion to to honour community social service workers originated at a 2007 NUPGE conference of community-based social service workers. It was envisaged as a day to focus attention on the importance of the sector to the country and to acknowledge the contributions these workers make. This year marked the second annual observance of the occasion across Canada.
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
More information:
• Canadians value Community Social Service workers
• Cities recognizing Community Social Service workers