Lack of resources and heavy caseloads and prompt Lethbridge Child and Family Services workers to plan info picket June 30

Posted June 30, 2009 in Government Services and tagged with local 006

LETHBRIDGE – WHO: Child and Family Services workers from the Lethbridge area
WHAT: Information picket
WHERE: 200, 5 Avenue S, Lethbridge
WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 30
WHY: To protest heavy caseloads and resource shortages interfering with services

Child and Family Services workers represented by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Local 006 plan to hold a noon-hour rally June 30 to highlight their concerns about how workloads are negatively affecting the services they are responsible for delivering to the public.

The members of Local 006 are also concerned that a new outcomes-based delivery model, combined with workload issues and a lack of resources, could pave the way for the privatization of key services.

The picket will be held from approximately 12 noon until 1 p.m. at the Lethbridge Provincial Building, 200 – 5 Ave. S.

“The tools Child and Family services workers have to use are very labour-intensive, very intrusive and leave less time for essential face-to-face meetings with their clients,” said AUPE Membership Services Officer Darren Gangur.

“We hope this event will draw attention to the serious challenges our members are facing when they are trying deliver these very important services to Albertans,” he said.

Gangur explained that the workloads and lack of resources are reducing the quality of programs including Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, Persons with Developmental Disability, Family Support for Children with Disabilities, and Children’s Services.

While the information picket is taking place in Lethbridge similar problems are being experienced by other Child and Family services workers throughout Alberta.

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For more information:

Darren Gangur, Membership Services Officer, AUPE, 403-382-2287 (Southern Alberta Regional Office) or 403-331-5352 (cellular phone)

Doug Knight, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-265-6655 (cellular phone)

Maureen Braun, Chair, AUPE Local 006, 780-717-5000 (cellular phone)

David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2143 (cellular phone)