Support Children by Supporting Workers

Last year, child welfare workers and support staff at Children’s Aid Society Algoma completed 1164 investigations. Each one focused on supporting vulnerable children and families. People call the agency because they know that child protection workers will do everything they can to ensure that children are safe. But what happens when there aren’t enough workers to call, and those that remain are mistreated and taken for granted?

Bill 124 was passed in 2019 to keep public sector wages down. It capped child welfare workers’ raises at 1% a year at a time of near record high inflation, hurting workers and taking money out of their pockets. Many were forced to leave jobs they loved.

Low wages at CAS Algoma make it impossible for the agency to hire and keep staff. This has a direct negative impact on the children, youth, and families who depend on these workers.

Our communities need these workers. Tell management to invest in them and the services they provide by negotiating a fair wage.

Email Subject: Negotiate a fair wage for CUPE 5269 workers

I am writing in support of members of CUPE 5269 who are critical child welfare workers and support staff at the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma.

Those workers had their wages suppressed, capped at 1% at a time of soaring inflation, by Bill 124.

That bill is no longer on the books, but it did real damage. It made workers’ lives more challenging, pushing some into poverty and others from the agency.

You are entering into bargaining shortly. This is your opportunity to fix your recruitment and retention challenges, do right by workers, invest in services, and make sure that families have the support they need.

I urge you, as a member of the Board of Directors: prioritize the health of our community and the well-being of your workers by negotiating a fair wage.

 

Thank you

Sincerely,

[your-name]
[your-email]