The vast majority of classified OPSEU members at Ontario Driver Exam Centres have opted to accept a surplus notice rather than take part in the sell-off of their work.

A total of 364 classified members - the ones who had a choice - made the decision in June. That’s when MTO gave them five days to decide what they will do if and when their work goes to a private operator. Of those who made a decision, 92 per cent opted out of the pending Request for Proposals (RFP). Under the OPSEU collective agreement in the Ontario Public Service, these members get enhanced severance pay when their work leaves the OPS.

There is no news of when MTO will issue the RFP, when the contract might be awarded, or when the transfer would occur.

A total of 16 people opted to accept transfer to the private employer. Twelve others made no decision; they are deemed to have accepted the transfer. In total, just five per cent of DEC employees who had a choice said they would go directly to the private operator.

The remaining 21 classified people have already left DEC, left MTO, retired, or are off the job collecting benefits under Long Term Income Protection (LTIP) or from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

Some 372 unclassified members were not eligible to choose. The DEC sell-off automatically costs them their jobs unless they are eligible to become classified (see below).

Committee defends your rights

OPSEU has set up a “reasonable efforts” committee to represent members affected by the outsourcing of Driver Examination Services. The committee’s job is to make sure your rights under the collective agreement are fully respected. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions at all.

Committee members are:

Paul Dunseith
OPSEU Chair, Ministry of Transportation Employee Relations Committee
W: (519) 893-2314
H: (519) 284-2802
dunseitp@quadro.net

Emma Vangou
Driver Examiner (John Rhodes)
W: (905) 793-4341
H: (905) 567-0306
emmabilly@hotmail.com

Gail Kreutzkamp
Inside Examiner (Kitchener)
W: (519) 893-1408 Ext. 210
H: (519) 742-4017
gailkreutzkamp@hotmail.com

 

OPSEU is working hard to deal with major grievances related to DEC members.

Appendix 18 violated
OPSEU has filed a policy grievance stating that the Employer failed to provide the full range of options to employees being surplussed from Driver Examination Services.

On the election forms for DEC employees, the employer did not offer employees the opportunity to remain in the RFP if they are not eligible for pension bridging at the time of the transfer. This is a clear violation, the union says.

The issue is slated for arbitration July 23.

Severance pay withheld
The union has also filed a policy grievance, stating that the Employer has violated Articles 53 and 78 of the collective agreement. These articles require the employer to pay termination pay to surplussed workers with 1 - 5 years of service. The employer is trying to dodge this rule in several ministries.

Conversion grievances
Talks between OPSEU and MTO are ongoing around conversion grievances for unclassified members. Many members with two years’ unclassified service are eligible for conversion to full classified status.

Outstanding grievances
Members in Driver Examination Services who have an outstanding grievance should forward their documentation to Robyn Gordon, Grievance Officer, 100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8. The employer has agreed to expedite these outstanding grievances prior to the transition.

Outcomes of policy grievances will be posted on OPSEU’s website as soon as they are known.

Bill 65, the Ontario government bill to smooth the privatization of road safety services, is not law - yet. The bill did not pass in the legislative session that ended June 28. This hold-up did not kill the bill, however. It can still be passed quickly in the upcoming session, currently slated to start Sept. 24.

It is not too late to fight the sell-off of Driver Exam or other MTO services! Funds are available to support the fightback. If you have an idea that will make a difference, contact Paul Bilodeau, OPSEU Administrator of Communications, at 1-800-268-7376, ext. 780.

If MTO sells off Driver Exam Centres, as intended, OPSEU members who end up working in a privatized Centre can regain union protection. A successful organizing drive would certify a union bargaining agent at the new workplace. For information on how union organizing works, contact Steve Clancy in the OPSEU Organizing Department at 1-800-268-7376, ext. 364.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8