Stop The Violence rally held May Day at Queen's Park
 

May 1, 2008

On May Day, OPSEU members joined the Ontario Nurses’ Association, Service Employees International Union, Communication Energy and Paperworkers, Machinists, and other unions for a noon-hour rally at Queen's Park calling on the Ontario government to take action on workplace violence.

Every day OPSEU members are assaulted and injured on the job. Many of these assaults are preventable.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas joined other union leaders and politicians in asking why Ontario is dragging its feet on preventing workplace violence.

Thomas said that as a Registered Practical Nurse, he had experienced violence on the job on many occasions.

Speakers included Linda Haslam-Stroud, ONA, Wayne Samuelson, Ontario Federation of Labour, John Cartwright, Toronto and York Labour Council, and Andrea Horwath, NDP critic.

Also in attendance at the rally were Mary Plesa, chair of OPSEU's long-term care sector and Claire Rowett, Executive Board Member, Region 3, holding the large pink OPSEU bandage (photo).

Bill 29 would amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect workers from harassment and violence in the workplace. It permits work refusals on the basis of violence and harassment, requires investigation of allegations of violence and harassment, and requires employers to take preventative steps.

Five other Canadian provinces have already adopted specific workplace violence prevention regulations.