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Impact
Volume 12, Issue 1 • May 3, 2012
Security upgrades at Milner: Up to the task?
The installation of a seven-foot high,
completely enclosed security turnstile at the Milner office is leaving many
members wondering whether the employer has taken it far enough.
Following an incident at the office, management
there has spent countless thousands of dollars installing the barrier, which
rivals the security entrances of most bank vaults. All of this was done without
ever consulting the members in the workplace.
But…are they really certain this is adequate?
Sure, this is a non-public access building.
Clients never visit there. In fact, the address of this building doesn’t even
appear on any of MPAC’s public listings. Virtually the only people who know that
Milner exists are the employees working there.
But you can never be too careful.
Rumour has it that additional entrance security
will soon be put in place, and we have obtained a photo for proposed entrance
reconstruction.
We think it compliments the new ambiance nicely.
Soon we’ll be rolling back assessments!!
Synergism!!
It’s the new mantra at
MPAC, and management’s “Synergism Sessions” promise to lead us in bold,
innovating directions never contemplated before. We are all virtually tingling
at what this could produce for us.
Synergism is based on
the word “synergy,” which means “the interaction of elements that when combined
produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements,
contributions, etc.” This is heady stuff!
So imagine our delight
at one of the first creations from the synergism sessions: the MPAC Vest!!
This 100-day pilot
project at four offices will drape a blue, one-size-fits-all smock over top of
assessors, to make them “more visible” in the community. Complete with photo and
“MPAC” lettering, our fearless assessors will spend additional time with
clients, mostly trying to convince them they don’t work for Wal-Mart.
We plan to suggest to
the employer that, to generate additional revenue, they could perhaps sell
advertising on the vests to make them even snazzier. Heck – it works for NASCAR.
Since MPAC is so big on
doing surveys, we are doing our own survey to get your thoughts on the vests. Go
to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BV6FM72 and tell us how you feel.
On a final note, there
is another definition of “synergy” that may better explain the vest project –
“The cooperative action of two or more stimuli or drugs.” But we digress.
‘Jeans Day’ continues for charity
As part of MPAC’s
United Way campaign, staff are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays and donate money
for the privilege. MPAC has allowed this initiative to continue throughout the
year, and each office can choose a charity to donate the money to.
If you are looking for
a worthy charity, Local 552 at 5255 Yonge Street is donating their proceeds to
“Design Points North”, a charity assisting the native community in Attawapiskat
in Northern Ontario. OPSEU Head Office also supports this charity.
For more information,
contact Tina Faibish at the Yonge St. office.
Verifying an “urban legend”?
In a related story,
stories are circulating that the vest project is the result of an unfortunate
incident that took place somewhere, at some time.
Apparently an assessor
from some office, somewhere, was knocking on a door to conduct an assessment
when he (or she) was tackled from behind by police who were in the middle of a
drug sting operation. The situation was only resolved when the assessor (who
will be eventually nominated for this year’s “Bad Timing Award”) identified
themself as a humble public service worker and not a member of a local cartel.
Hence, the need for the
vests.
We are continuing to
investigate when, where and with who this situation occurred. So far, we haven’t
had much luck. But in the meantime, we are suggesting a modification to the
vests to prevent any re-occurrences (or just plain occurrences) of this event.
Stay in touch!
To ensure a speedy response to your questions,
your leadership team has divided up all MPAC offices in the province. If you
have a question or a comment, please contact the team member responsible for
your office. Contact us by e-mail at work or at home, as follows:
David Lynch, Chair: Bracebridge, London,
Mississauga, Ottawa, Barrie, Brockville, Cornwall, Pembroke, Trenton, Bancroft &
Kingston
E-mail: opseu409@yahoo.ca;
david.lynch@mpac.ca
Peter McClenaghan, Vice Chair: St. Catharines,
Goderich, Chatham, Sarnia, Windsor, Kitchener & Brantford
E-mail:
pmcclenaghan2020@yahoo.com ;
peter.mcclenaghan@mpac.ca
Everett Kelly: Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill,
Toronto & Peterborough
E-mail: evkelly@rogers.com;
everett.kelly@mpac.ca
David Fong: North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste.
Marie, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Kenora, Fort Francis &
Dryden
E-mail: visor243@nt.net;
david.fong@mpac.ca
Steve Kovacs: Milner (CCC, CPF, LPU), Owen
Sound, Hamilton & Parry Sound
E-Mail:
stevekovie@hotmail.com ;
steve.kovacs@mpac.ca
Mirla Alvarado-Fenn, OPSEU Staff Negotiator
E-mail: malvarado@opseu.org
OPSEU ImpacT is
produced by the Property Assessment Division of the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union and authorized for distribution by Warren (Smokey) Thomas,
president.
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