FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2002

OPSEU strike holding up $500-million in clean water projects in Peel

The Chair of Peel Region says the strike by Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members in the Ontario Public Service is delaying nearly $500-million in planned clean water projects in Peel.

OPSEU President Leah Casselman will hold a news conference to provide details:

Date: Monday, April 1, 2002
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Front, Region of Peel offices, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton

In a March 26 letter to the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), Region Chair Emil Kolb also says that “individuals operating treatment facilities have been significantly undervalued in the past,” and talks about the need to attract and retain skilled and dedicated workers.

“Contrary to what the government says, the strike is having a huge impact on jobs, on capital projects, and on people’s lives,” Casselman said. “Public services are essential. The government should get back to the bargaining table so Peel and other municipalities can start projects that provide clean water for their residents.”

OCWA operates water and waste treatment facilities in municipalities across Ontario including South Peel. The Essential Services Agreement allows for OCWA staff to do day-to-day work but no work on new projects is allowed.

-30-

For more information, contact:

David Cox, OPSEU Communications: 416-443-8888 x 314 or 416-788-9197 (cell)