Every day, the skilled and dedicated developmental service workers at Community Living South Muskoka make it possible for the individuals they support to live full lives. But after years of low wages amidst skyrocketing cost of living, too many workers have been pushed into poverty or forced from jobs they love. Mismanagement has made it harder to provide the kind of high-quality care people deserve.
Tell management that a fait contract for workers means better care for clients.
The members of CUPE 1813 do the often invisible work needed to make sure everyone can participate in society.
They work out of child care centres, supporting children with developmental disabilities to reach their educational milestones. They provide respite services so those who care for others can have extra support. They help find jobs and a sense of purpose for adults with developmental disabilities. And much more.
After three painful years under Bill 124 where the government capped their wages at 1 per cent despite inflation, management is again trying to force poverty wages on them. Workers who have two or three jobs to make ends meet have been offered pennies management gave themselves healthy raises. That’s not fair – and it won’t help the agency recruit or retain staff and improve services.
Something has to change. These workers deserve a fair deal that allows them to work just one job, that doesn’t penalize them for not having a cell phone, and doesn’t force them to subsidize their own work by covering mileage expenses.
Write to Community Living South Muskoka today. Tell them to do right by workers and invest in services.
