LONDON – Leah Casselman, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) visits London today to promote the renewal of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) as contract talks with the government proceed.
“The real crisis in Ontario is a public service crisis, and Ontario has no choice but to begin to rebuild. Public servants ensure that our streets are safe, that our food is safe, that our water is safe. We must support the people on the front lines by giving them the recognition and respect that they deserve and need to do their jobs,” said Casselman.
Extreme workloads, high stress, and low morale are the norm in many parts of the public service, Casselman said. Staff turnover has never been higher. Staff recruitment has never been harder. The OPS has lost more than 23,000 employees in six years, one-third of its workforce.
“After years of cuts, layoffs, privatization, and mismanagement, after Walkerton and Sept. 11, we need to start talking about how to rebuild our public service in Ontario,” she said. “Now more than ever, we need to support our members on the front lines.”
Casselman will tour the Ministry of Transportation worksite in London as well as the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre. She will be visiting OPS workplaces in dozens of Ontario communities over the next month including, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Sudbury.
OPSEU is currently bargaining with the government of Ontario for a new contract for its 45,000 OPS employees. The previous contract expired Dec. 31, 2001.
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For more information:
David Cox OPSEU Communications 416-443-8888 x314 Cell 416-788-9197
OPS Bargaining 2001: Complete Information
