August 21, 2003

Dear DEC Member:

I understand there is a lot of uncertainty about the transfer of the Driver Examiner Services from the Ontario Public Service to a private service provider, Serco DES.

I know this from experience because my own employer was sold to a private service provider a few years ago.  These divestments are never easy – one of the reasons the government makes these decisions is to divide workers and to strip them of their rights.

In my workplace, the staff made the right decision – the decision to stay with a union that understands their concerns, and has fought long and hard for their rights. I am confident that you and your colleagues will make the same decision.

OPSEU has fought long and hard to protect the rights of Driver Examiner Centre staff and we will continue to do so, should we continue to represent you after the takeover on Aug. 30. OPSEU also fought hard to stop this transfer. In the end, the OPS, like any employer, has the right to manage and transfer its assets.

Let me recap for you what OPSEU has done for DEC staff:

Our union fought for conversion of more than 180 DEC members to give these members their entitlements under the Collective Agreement. Because of OPSEU’s activities, these members and others are eligible for enhanced severance including six months pay following the divestment of the DEC services.  

The Collective Agreement we fought for - together - gave members a guaranteed job with the new employer, if they so chose, or the chance to opt out and take the enhanced severance package.  These options were not gifts from MTO. They were available to you because our union fought hard for these rights. 

But as of Sept. 2, when you come to work in the morning, you will no longer have any of the rights we fought for, unless you act quickly. When you come in to work that day, it will be a whole new world.  Your seniority, your right to file a grievance, your collective agreement, will all be gone. Your hours of work, pay and working conditions  will be subject to the employer’s change at a moment’s notice, and to the minimum standards of the Employment Standards Act. 

In other jurisdictions, Serco’s history has been one of cutting costs on the backs of its hard working staff. What do you think will happen in Ontario?

OPSEU wants to continue to represent you. If you have not already signed a card, think carefully about it. Contact your staff representative or your local president and make sure OPSEU has your signed card in hand. I hope to continue to represent you in the future.

In solidarity,

Leah Casselman, President