P3s: Exposing the Truth
Whereas the biggest threat we face is the neo-conservative approach to public services which cuts taxes to starve the public sector of funding while transferring public service provision to the private sector, and
Whereas the gains promised by supporters of public-private partnerships – such as long-term cost efficiency and the sharing of private-sector innovation – continue to be undemonstrated, and
Whereas, in every jurisdiction in which P3s have been introduced, the results include service reductions, higher costs, and deteriorated working conditions, and
Whereas the Government of Ontario currently supports P3s rather than restoring taxes as the preferred solution to the growing public infrastructure debt,
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU will continue to work with our partners in the labour movement and the broader community to expose and oppose P3 projects that strip resources from the public sector, and
Be it further resolved that OPSEU, when faced with P3 projects, will make every effort possible to reduce or eliminate the adverse effects these projects may have on our members, the public sector, and working people in general.
P3s: Building the Alternative
Whereas employer controlled pension funds are used to meet the employers’ needs, rather than the needs of their workers, and
Whereas the pension funds of civil servants were traditionally used – without our approval – to support investments in public services, and
Whereas OPSEU fought for and won the right to jointly control and administer the pension investments of the majority of our members, and continues to struggle for full pension benefits, jointly-controlled and sponsored by the union, for all of our members, and
Whereas the pension policy passed at the 2003 Convention directs OPSEU to work towards positive investment models that support public services while protecting our members’ pension assets,
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU will use its leverage – as sponsor of major pension plans and as a union – to obstruct proposals that may negatively affect our members, their pensions, or the public interest, and
Be it further resolved that OPSEU will support the efforts of our pension trustees in opposing – within the constraints of the law – any pension investments that would undermine public services for private profit, and
Be it further resolved that OPSEU will proactively pursue opportunities that both support social-democratic principles through economically targeted investments in our communities and ensure the security of our members’ pensions.
