Collective Bargaining

Issue #1 • March 10, 2009

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Bargaining gets under way

Good jobs are what it’s all about

After months of preparation, bargaining is under way between the LCBO and your OPSEU bargaining team.

The first exchange of proposals between the employer and the union takes place March 9 and 10. A further 13 days of meetings are scheduled up to May 1. Additional dates may be added if necessary.

“This is a big moment for all OPSEU members at the LCBO, and the team is very excited about the opportunity before us,” says Vanda Klumper, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team.

“At a time when the economy is in trouble,

good jobs are more important than ever to our families, our communities, and our province. Employers like the LCBO who have ample resources to provide good jobs need to step up.

 “We have a clear mandate from our members to make serious gains in the next collective agreement,” Klumper says. “With the support of the members, I know we will succeed.”

While the bargaining team is at the table, OPSEU mobilizers will be connecting with front-line members to provide details about the bargaining process and work with members on activities to support the team. Right now, 20 OPSEU members are working to organize information sessions to reach every member at the LCBO.

“It is very important that members understand the nuts and bolts of the bargaining process,” says Klumper. “There are certain steps to follow and certain things we must do to get where we’re going.

“The bargaining team is asking all members to attend these information sessions and pay close attention in the weeks ahead. Watch the OPSEU web site at
www.opseu.org/lbed.collective.htm  , and if you are not signed up to get our bargaining bulletin, please do so.

“To succeed, we need to have every member at the bargaining table with us.”

Bargaining Dates

Bargaining between the LCBO and the OPSEU bargaining team for the Liquor Board Employees Division is scheduled for the following dates:

• March 9-10

• March 23-26

• April 6-9

• April 27 - May 1

More dates will be scheduled if necessary.

This bargaining campaign is coming right to you

Your collective agreement is about to expire. Your bargaining team is at the table. It might sound like just another round of negotiations, but it’s not.

It’s 2009, and this is the first contract LCBO employees will negotiate with OPSEU as our union from start to finish. Bargaining now is different:

• Our union has more staff support and more resources than before.

• Our bargaining team is one we elected.

• Our bargaining demands were set by all of us in a democratic process.

Bargaining is about protecting your livelihood and getting what you need. What happens at the bargaining table depends on the support we give our team. Showing your support is not just important, it’s crucial.

Across the province, 20 “mobilizers” are already at work. They’re your co-workers, and they’ve set up more than 70 meetings across Ontario to keep you informed and build support for our team. There’s a meeting soon at a location near you. (For an up-to-date listing of meetings, click here) .

How successful we are at the table depends on you. Get out to one of the meetings for your local, get to know your mobilizer, and most importantly, when they ask you to show your support for the team, make sure you do. Our contract is at stake.

Meet your mobilizers!

OPSEU mobilizers are your co-workers at the LCBO. They’re the direct link between you and your bargaining team. The following people are assigned as mobilizers in the OPSEU locals indicated.

Guy Jeremschuck: Local 162

Dave Holmes: Local 163

Mike Robertson: Local 164

Mike Sullivan: Local 165

Bonnie Jolley: Local 284

Paula Sossi: Local 285

Deb Altoft: Local 286

Shawn Swayze: Local 287

Matt Savelli: Local 287

Frank Gullace: Local 288

Maria Bauer: Locals 375, 376

Doug Parks: Locals 377, 378

Eileen Allen: Local 379

Terri Taylor: Locals 497, 498

Devon Ford: Locals 499, 4100

Kevin Ramsay: Locals 5107, 5110

Roberto Ianni: Locals 5108, 5111

Craig Hadley: Locals 5109, 5110, 5111

Mellisa Jackson: All Locals in OPSEU Region 6

Anne Makela: All Locals in Region 7 

Your bargaining team

The OPSEU bargaining for the Liquor Board Employees Division consists of seven members:

Vanda Klumper, Chair, OPSEU Local 165 vklumper@rogers.com

Denise Davis, Vice-Chair, Local 378 djdcones@yahoo.ca

Dora Robinson, Local 376 dora.robinson@gmail.com

Tracy Vyfschaft, Local 377 tcshaft@xplornet.com

Lori Davis, Local 499 loridavis@xplornet.com

Colleen MacLeod, Local 5107 colleenmacleod@opseu5107.org

Laurie Miller, Local 682 lauriem3@sympatico.ca

The bargaining team is assisted by OPSEU Senior Negotiator Rob Field, Senior Researcher Joyce Hansen, and other assigned staff.

Stay informed

As negotiations pick up speed, make it your priority to stay on top of bargaining news.

1. Attend upcoming bargaining information meetings (see listing on the OPSEU web site at www.opseu.org/lbed/collective.htm ).

2. Receive this bargaining bulletin (and our regular newsletter, the Echo) directly by e-mail. Just call OPSEUdirect at 1-800-268-7376 or (416) 443-8888 and give the operator your name and e-mail address.

3. Bookmark the address at www.opseu.org/lbed/collective.htm  on the OPSEU website to learn more about what’s happening inside the Liquor Board Employees Division.

EAP Hotline: 1-800-263-1401

The LCBO Employee Assistance Program is a confidential, hassle-free counseling service for eligible LCBO employees and their immediate families. For assistance, call 1-800-263-1401. To find out more about the program, visit: www.opseu.org/leb/eap  .

Your 2009 Bargaining Bulletin is authorized for distribution by:

Vanda Klumper, Chair,
Liquor Board Employees Division

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President, OPSEU
Ontario Public Service Employees Union

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