Ms. Lori Findleton
Vice-President
Human Resources Management and Education
Ontario Hospital Association

Dear Ms. Findleton:

It is unfortunate that you have chosen to characterize my refusal to allow you to dictate who I could bring with me to a meeting as turning down your invitation to meet. You have also changed the purpose of the proposed October 8th meeting. When we spoke last week you said that you wanted to discuss the relationship between OPSEU and the OHA and that the meeting had nothing to do with bargaining. Your letter, however, states that you wanted to discuss the renewal of the collective agreement.

As I indicated in my telephone conversation with you, the place to discuss bargaining is at the bargaining table. While I understand that the hospitals may wish to deal with someone other than our elected central bargaining team members, that is not the way it works. OPSEU is willing at any time to work towards a negotiated settlement to this dispute, but the negotiations must involve our elected representatives.

The fact that the parties have been unable to reach an agreement is indicative of the fact that there is a difference of opinion about whether the offer by the hospitals will address the pressing needs of these health professionals. Clearly, our team does not think that it does. I have passed on your analysis to the team but it does not contain anything that they did not already know. I would also note that it differs in several ways from the position that is being tabled at conciliation.

We share the hospitals’ desire to achieve a speedy resolution to the current impasse but it is the OHA’s refusal to agree to a central arbitration process that is dragging out these negotiations. In addition, your refusal to cooperate in the coordination of the individual hospital conciliations is also problematic.

As I indicated earlier, if a meeting would assist in moving closer towards a negotiated settlement, and I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I must reiterate however, that I will bring whomever I choose to any such meeting.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Leah Casselman
President