TORONTO -- More than 500 workers at one of the largest community-based agencies in Toronto planned to launch a strike Thursday to support wage and benefits demands.

WoodGreen Community Services has 32 locations in the city employing childcare staff, housing workers, ESL instructors and others.

Their union, Workers United Local 154, says it has been trying to negotiate a new collective agreement with WoodGreen since April.

Union official Adrie Naylor says WoodGreen has refused to extend benefits to some workers and is offering a wage increase that barely offsets the cost of living.

The union says the workers will gather for a strike rally today in east-end Toronto (815 Danforth at 11:30 a.m.).