We’re not going there!

After 10 days of bargaining on several core issues – issues that are important to you and for which you gave us a strong mandate – the Employer is clearly on another planet. Among the Employer’s proposals are concessions to hours of work, days off and consecutive weekends off.

Our bottom line? We’re Not Going There!

Members of the provincial support bargaining team believe the Employer is not taking its bargaining position seriously. On April 7, OPSEU applied to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation and officer Mr. J Quinn has been assigned to assist the parties.

The conciliator works for the Ministry – not for either party. The role of the conciliation officer and the Ministry is to reach a deal and avert a strike.  This process, in which the bargaining team, the Employer, and the conciliator work towards a settlement, is called “conciliation.” If the conciliator can’t bring the parties to a deal the Ministry of Labour may issue what is known as a “no board” report.

Before a bargaining unit in Ontario can legally go on strike (or be locked out by the Employer) the parties must go through conciliation and a no board report must be issued.  The issuance of a no board report then sets the clock ticking toward the earliest possible date for a legal strike or lockout. The strike or ­lockout may legally begin 17 days after the no board report is issued. 

A strike vote must be held by secret ballot to authorize the union to hold a legal strike. 

As OPSEU Proud and Professional employees we know that solidarity wins the fight!  Your bargaining team is asking you to show your strong and undivided support for your bargaining team which has endorsed a strategy to let the Employer know: We’re Not Going There!

Details are being arranged for upcoming bargaining information sessions and strike votes in Windsor, London, Barrie, Peterborough, Toronto, Ottawa and Kingston. With your vote you can send a strong, collective voice of strength to the negotiating table.

It’s time to stand up! Be informed! Get involved! Be part of the Team!

In Solidarity,

Brenda Thompson

President, Local 210 

Bloodletters is your direct communication resource from the OPSEU bargaining teams and is intended to keep you up to date and informed on bargaining developments. Bloodletters is your only accurate source of bargaining team information during this round of bargaining. If you do not read it here, you cannot be sure it is true. Do not rely on gossip and rumours. We will provide the facts. Bloodletters will be available by e-mail and on the OPSEU website at www.opseu.org/bps/health/cbs/index.htm 

Approved for distribution by Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President