REGINA : Workers from group homes, vocational training centres and other community-based agencies will hold a noon hour demonstration on Saturday, at 12 noon, at the Centre of the Arts where the NDP is holding its annual convention.
The workers are demanding the provincial government implement a Fair Wage Initiative to improve the wages and working conditions in this sector.
Most employees in group homes, day cares, youth centres and other community-based agencies only earn about $8 an hour. A provincial wage study found people working in community-based agencies are paid about $10 less an hour (on average) than provincial government employees doing work of equal value.
The workers are dismayed by the Social Services Ministers recent comments, suggesting the government is closing the pay gap through 2% increases which amounts to about 15 cents an hour. Theyre also dismayed the Minister has said the government cant make any commitments for the coming fiscal year, especially since the NDP has promised to be sensitive to the needs of workers in this sector.
The three unions CUPE, SEIU and SGEU representing the community-based agencies hope NDP members will give the Minister an education on the floor of the NDP convention.
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For more information, contact Aina Kagis at 525-5874, extension 234
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