FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2002
Algonquin Park remains closed by OPSEU: picket lines are up!
TORONTO - The union representing striking Ontario Public Service employees says many visitors have respected picket lines at the entrances of Algonquin Park or have not come at all.
OPSEU members have had two successful days of picketing at the park. They warn that the park should remain closed while its workers are off the job. Mass pickets will continue through Saturday.
“It is not business as usual. There is no way visits to Ontario Parks can be as safe and enjoyable as they would normally be, or that these precious resources can be adequately protected. We’re asking visitors to treat Ontario Parks as closed until our strike is over,” said OPSEU President Leah Casselman.
Algonquin had been scheduled to open for trout season this weekend, and Ministry of Natural Resources managers have left jobs elsewhere to try to run the park.
OPSEU members at Algonquin Park work as Conservation Officers, Wardens, Canoe Rangers, Planners, Biologists, support staff, maintenance staff, and resource and compliance monitoring technicians.
Ontarians can help return Park services to normal by contacting Ontario Premier Ernie Eves and urging him to take a direct role in negotiating a quick end to the strike, said Casselman.
The strike by 45,000 provincial government employees began March 13.
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For further information:
www.opseu.org
