FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2005
OPSEU members demonstrate at Liberal convention: Settle contract now!
OTTAWA - Members of the Ontario Public Service will rally outside the Ontario Liberal Party’s annual general meeting this Saturday.
Date: Saturday, June 11, 2005
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Place: Ottawa Congress Centre 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa
Union members are fed up with delays at the bargaining table, and are demanding that the McGuinty Liberals start negotiating towards a settlement. In a province-wide vote held May 25-27, OPSEU members rejected the government’s final offer that would have eliminated key protections and benefits from the contract.
“We are tired of the employer’s foot-dragging at the bargaining table,” said OPSEU Regional Vice President Bob Eaton. “If Dalton McGuinty wants labour peace this summer, he has to start getting serious about bargaining - and do it quickly.”
Eaton said he hopes the demonstration will remind Liberal party supporters what got Dalton McGuinty elected in the first place. Speakers will include victims of McGuinty policies -- the families of the clients of the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls, which is slated for closure.
“Dalton McGuinty has to start living up to his promises,” Eaton said. “He promised to rebuild public services, but all we have seen so far is Tory style cuts, downsizing and bargaining takeaways. This is unacceptable. Ontarians voted for change, not a re-hash of Harris/Eves policies.”
The union has not yet set a strike deadline. Bargaining teams continue talks with the government under a media blackout. The previous contract expired Dec. 31, 2004
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For further information:
Bob Eaton (613) 340-2521
Myles Magner, OPSEU Communications (416) 571-1214
Don Ford, OPSEU Communications (416) 788-9104
