The Ontario Public Service Employees Union applauds the Ministry of Labour's plan to hire 200 new workplace safety and enforcement staff, including 100 new inspectors.
OPSEU had been vocal in its opposition to Conservative government cuts to workplace health and safety in the province. The Tories failed to fill vacant inspector positions, cut back on support to inspectors by eliminating the occupational health laboratory, ministry air sampling personnel, and reducing the numbers of nurses, hygienists,
physicians and engineers.
“Our members are pleased to see the Ontario government thinks protecting its workers is a priority again,” said OPSEU president Leah Casselman. "This is the one of the best moves this Liberal government has made to date."
The new announcement brings Ontario back into the mainstream in terms of numbers of workplace inspectors per worker, though Ontario will still trail British Columbia.
"We also hope this announcement means workplace health and safety standards will be applied consistently to health care workers, and extended to agricultural workers," Casselman said.
“We also need to be sure the proper staff support will be provided for these inspectors, and the needed legislative changes will be made as well.”
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For information:
David Cox, OPSEU Communications 1-800-268-7376 x 314
Bob Rae, OPSEU Ministry of Labour MERC chair 905-301-0662
