This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
Stop putting the squeeze on Community Social Services and the workers who provide them!
Vancouver (07 Sept. 2012) - "Enough is enough," says B.C.'s community social service workers (CSS) and their supporters. "It’s time to put badly-needed resources back into the services we all rely on in times of need, especially our most vulnerable community members." This is the message workers and supporters of B.C.'s community social services will be taking to a special rally being organized for September 13.
Fed up with cuts, group home closures, ever-growing wait lists, the members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) who work in the sector are going to send Premier Clark an important message about the deteriorating conditions and service being provided to the province's most vulnerable members.
By taking millions out of the sector they have stretched resources to the breaking point. These CSS workers face the reprecussions of these cuts on a daily basis. Each day becomes more and more difficult.
• Since 2004, CSS workers have given up more than $300 million, money that has not been restored;
• CSS workers are the lowest paid in the entire public sector, with many forced to take a
second or third job just to make ends meet;
• In most classifications, the starting wages have actually been reduced. For a residential care worker in 2002, the starting wage was $16.83; now it’s $15.54;
• Under the government’s so-called “cooperative gains” bargaining mandate, CSS workers are expected to fund any wage increase by finding “cost savings” elsewhere in their contracts.
Community social services workers have sacrificed more than their fair share to help the province get through tough economic times. But government has refused to step up and invest badly needed dollars in the sector and its workers.
The fact is: community social services cannot survive without a commitment from government to recognize the vital role these services play in our communities.
Show your support for community social services, the workers who provide them and the people who rely on them most, by attending a rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery at noon on September 13.
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