OTTAWA – Warren (Smokey) Thomas, Vice-President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) visits Ottawa today to promote the renewal of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) as contract talks with the government proceed. OPSEU’s demands include whistleblower protection for employees in the OPS.
Thomas met with Robert Curran, a Probation and Parole Officer who returned to work today after a suspension for whistleblowing. OPSEU is calling for smaller caseloads for Ontario’s 700 Probation and Parole officers who must deal with approximately 85,000 offenders, the highest caseload in Canada.
“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 Thomas.
Extreme workloads, high stress, and low morale are the norm in many parts of the public service, Thomas 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,” he said. “Now more than ever, we need to support our members on the front lines.”
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 information:
David Cox OPSEU Communications 416-443-8888 x314 Cell 416-788-9197 Brian Lowry, Ottawa Region Office 613-739-9100
