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Essential But Forgotten from Cassidy a student voice! �

Dear Joe Ceci

I am waiting on behalf of the workers to increase the wages of CDSW by 25%. There are 15,000 people and we as workers have not received an increase to our wages since 2014.

Currently, I am a practicum student working in the sector of Community Disability Services for SCOPE. I have been doing my practicum with this company for 2 months and I am passionate about learning and working with the people with disabilities that I will be helping.

The work that these employees do is not only important and demanding, it also makes a significant difference in people’s lives and society.

Employees working within the Community Disability Services have noticed the Government of Alberta does not provide adequate funding for proper and competitive wages, as well as for the work that they are doing.

With my practicum coming to an end soon me and some of the people I have gotten to know throughout my time they may soon have no choice but to explore other career paths where I will be properly compensated and valued for the work that is being done by everyone.

All those that are employed in Disability Services are multi-skilled. The tasks and responsibilities that people employed in Community Disability Services must complete on a day-to-day basis are endless, along with that the responsibilities and tasks of a Community Disability Services can change on a daily basis and never know what is going to happen, because every day is different.

As my practicum is coming to an end in March, I am hesitant on applying for a position in this sector. The average hourly wage for a Community Disability Support worker is $18.76. As a newly graduate and going to be living on my own and having the weight of bills and other costs of living the thought of will I be able to survive comes to mind when deciding whether I want to work within this area. Along with thinking if I am going to be able survive with the cost of living, the thought of not having a lot of time to spend with my family and will it take away from my physical/mental health.

Unless the Government of Alberta increase the wages, the Clients will start to be supported by fewer, less experienced and more inconsistent staff. The turnover of staff will increase causing the individuals we are working with to have higher anxiety. Along with that the quality of services that people receive will deteriorate, the quality of life and the safety of Albertans living with disabilities will also suffer.

As a student wanting to work in the disability sector I urge you to take this matter seriously and share it among your government colleagues. To ensure that the workers in this sector are receiving an appropriate wage that can support the cost of living across Alberta.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Cassidy Norman