FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2002

OPSEU says Teranet should keep Chatham office open for good of community

CHATHAM - Staff at the Teranet office in Chatham have three weeks to decide if they want to follow their employer to London or Toronto.

Teranet provides remote access to Ontario’s land registry system for businesses including law firms. The Corporation, owned 50 per cent by the Government of Ontario was formed in 1991 by divestment from the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Teranet has a long historical connection with Chatham but this could be over if the corporation proceeds with its plans to centralize operations in London.

Twenty-four staff members including three managers have been given the choice to accept positions in London. This would mean either a move or a long winter commute as the office is scheduled to close Dec. 31.

“We’re very disappointed in this decision, which flies in the face of the company’s claim to be a model corporate citizen,” said OPSEU President Leah Casselman. “We ask that the political and business leaders of Chatham-Kent work with OPSEU to prevent the closing of this important office in their community.”

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For more information:

Marisa Forsyth, OPSEU staff representative, Windsor office 1-800-265-5205