Developmental Service Workers Rally Today in Support of Colleagues at Risk From COVID-19

OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Developmental services workers from Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OCAPDD) will hold a “physically distant” rally today to demand that the provincial government release funds promised for pandemic recognition pay for frontline workers.

The funding, announced over a month ago, is meant to recognize workers whose jobs put them at increased risk of infection from COVID-19. However, the Ford government has yet to allow the money to flow to some developmental service agencies; as a result, many frontline workers who are eligible for pandemic pay are not receiving it.

Community service workers at OCAPDD were recently included in the province’s pandemic recognition pay, forcing the agency to stretch its already limited budget to make good on the Ford government’s promises on pandemic pay. Other developmental services agencies are in similar situations and the sector also continues to struggle to provide sufficient personal protective equipment to its workers.

WHO:	CUPE 1521 workers, their allies and supporters
WHAT:	“Physically distant” rally in support of equal pay for all workers whose jobs put them at increased risk of contracting COVID
WHEN:	Monday, May 25 at 3:30 p.m.
WHERE:	Constituency office of Jeremy Roberts, MPP for Ottawa West–Nepean, at 1580 Merivale Road, Nepean, ON K2G 4B5
WHY:	Rally to demand equal pay and protection for all frontline workers

Media are invited to attend the rally, which will be carried out safely and while practicing physical distancing.

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