TORONTO - A group of about 4,500 unionized personal support workers walked off the job Wednesday.

The workers who are part of the SEIU Healthcare union say they've given notice of a strike to their employer, Red Cross Care Partners.

The workers have been in a legal strike position for several weeks and recently voted to reject a tentative agreement with their employer.

Wages and travelling costs for home visits are key issues of contention.

The workers, who have been without a contract since April, say their earnings have gone down by about 7 per cent because of a wage freeze combined with inflation and an increase in the price of gas.

Union president Sharleen Stewart says the workers are tired of being "pushed around and taken for granted."