PORT SEVERN – Inside and outside
workers employed full-time by the Township of Georgian Bay will walk
off the job at 12:01 a.m. Fri., May 18, 2007 if no agreement is
reached for their new collective agreement. On April 24, members of
the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Local 328, voted 95 per
cent to reject the last contract offer by the Township and support
strike action.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey)
Thomas said that the issues are all about employer takeaways from
the current working conditions of the members.
“Our members are not looking for
huge gains in their first union contract,” Thomas said. “They are
just trying to prevent losing things they currently have.”
In their latest proposal, the
employer wants to cut the current sick leave entitlement, impose a
prescription drug dispensing fee, and eliminate semi-private
hospital coverage.
“Less than a year ago, these
workers chose to become members of OPSEU,” Thomas said. “We see
these proposed cuts as a direct attack on the members for wanting to
unionize, and we will defend them without hesitation.”
Mediation is scheduled for May
17, 2007. If that fails, members will go on strike at the beginning
of Ontario’s busiest holiday weekend of the year.
“This will have a huge impact on
cottagers,” said OPSEU Staff Representative Terry Krulicki. “The
strike will delay or cancel building permits, and stop tax
collection in the area. We hope the employer will come to their
senses and negotiate a fair contract for these workers.”
