About 3,400 workers who help adults and children with disabilities will stage a one-day strike across B.C. Wednesday to press demands for higher wages.

Patsy Harmston of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union says starting wages are $15 an hour, a dollar less than 10 years ago, resulting in many of the workers having trouble making ends meet.

The BCGEU also says more than 40 per cent of the workers have been forced to cut services to their clients because of budget cuts.

Staff people who help the disabled say their wages have dropped in the past 10 years. (CBC)

Patsy Harmston, who heads the union’s bargaining committee, says the non-profits they work for can't retain people because the workers' wages are so low.

“They have two or more jobs. We have even heard of members having to visit food banks because they can’t support their families on these wages,” Harmston said.

The 24-hour job action will affect the Richmond-based Developmental Disabilities Association and the Burnaby-based PosAbilities, the two largest community social service agencies in B.C.

Agencies in Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Kamloops, Vanderhoof, Trail, Salmon Arm, Castlegar, Creston and Cranbrook will also be picketed.

The union says it wants to send a clear message to the B.C. government to stop putting the squeeze on programs and staff that help people with disabilities.

With files from the CBC's Terry Donnelly