MEDIA ADVISORY - Mental health workers ask MPPs to help end workplace violence

TORONTO, Oct. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Mental health workers represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) will host a news conference at Queen's Park on October 17 to urge MPPs to help end the growing violence inside their workplaces.

The news conference is part of a lobby day during which some 30 OPSEU members will meet with MPPs to discuss funding, staffing, training, security measures, and mental health infrastructure.

"Conditions inside mental health centres and related community agencies are out of hand," said Ed Arvelin, chair of OPSEU's Mental Health Division. "We'll be sitting down with MPPs to find out exactly where they stand on violence against our members. The rate of assaults, threats and injuries in our workplaces is growing and we need a commitment from MPPs that they will stand with us and fight on our behalf."

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will host the news conference, at which Arvelin and health and safety activist Carol Mundley will also speak .

OPSEU represents more than 7,000 members working in mental health care across Ontario.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)