FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2002

Court workers rally for justice

TORONTO - Court workers across Ontario will take part in rallies and leaflet the public Monday as part of a province-wide Day of Action to focus attention on their issues. In Toronto, reporters can attend morning events at several downtown courthouses and meet up with OPSEU president Leah Casselman and court worker spokespeople.

Date: Monday, March 25, 2002
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Place: 361 University Ave., Toronto

Workers will also rally at 393 University Ave., 439 University Ave., 60 Queen St. W., and 311 Jarvis St.

Ontario’s 2,500 court workers are part of the 45,000-strong Ontario Public Service bargaining unit that went on strike March 13. Despite the fact that almost all are designated essential during the strike, court workers are among the least likely public employees to have permanent jobs.

The Day of Action is not intended to disrupt court activities or attendance at the courts, Casselman said.

“I think most Ontarians would be appalled to learn of the shoddy treatment court workers have to endure these days,” said Casselman. “Our goal with this day of action is to bring their plight to the attention of the public.”

Court workers include court clerks, counter clerks, court reporters, court service officers, trial coordinators, judges’ secretaries, and many others. Over 90 per cent are women; over 50 per cent are contract workers with no benefits, and no job security except their short-term contracts. Eighty-eight per cent of court reporters work on short-term contracts.

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For more information:

Paul Myers (647) 227-0639 (cell)
Randy Robinson (416) 788-9134 (cell)