FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  May 1, 2002, 5:00 p.m.

OPSEU strike update: talks continue on two tracks

TORONTO - Negotiations to end the 50-day-old strike by 45,000 Ontario Public Service employees are continuing on two tracks.

The union and the government are still negotiating towards a new collective agreement. There is no tentative agreement as of 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, but the union bargaining teams remain optimistic that a deal can be reached soon. Negotiations have begun on a back-to-work protocol.

More information will be released when the situation changes.

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