FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 7, 2002

Strike deadline March 13

TORONTO – The Ontario Public Service Employees Union central bargaining team has set a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. March 13 should negotiations fail to achieve a settlement for 45,000 members in the Ontario Public Service.

Last week, the union voted more than 88 per cent to take strike action if necessary to achieve a fair contract.

A revised management offer received Wednesday was totally inadequate, said bargaining team chair Marg Simmons.

“You would have to use a microscope to see the difference from the package the members have already rejected by 88 per cent. They made a tiny change in one of their proposals that our members have already rejected outright,” she said.

“We’re prepared to negotiate with the government for as long as necessary,” said Simmons. “We still have plenty of time to get an agreement if they are serious about bargaining.”

Issues include wages, job security and a government demand to interfere with the union’s use of pension surplus funds.

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph: 416-448-7440 or cell 416-788-9057 or kfitzrandolph@opseu.org
Randy Robinson: 416-448-7441 or cell 416-788-9134 or rrobinson@opseu.org  
David Cox: 416-443-8888 (ext 314) or cell 416-788-9197 or dcox@opseu.org