FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 1 1999

Merry Making heats up at the AGO
Gallery may close December 13

TORONTO - Staff at the Art Gallery of Ontario continue with their "Merry Making" events:

Wednesday, Dec. 1
5 p.m.
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St. W.

The staff, dressed as habitants, will greet AGO evening patrons with original holiday carols dedicated to management’s latest offer. It is part of a series of actions, keyed to the current exhibition of works by Cornelius Kreighoff, leading up to a potential December 13 strike by gallery staff. The staff are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Wage freezes, job security and contracting out are outstanding critical issues. Employees say that management’s proposal would undermine the security of long-standing employees by replacing them with new hires who would be paid considerably less than experienced employees, or with unpaid volunteers, students and interns. "You can’t replace our expertise with inexperienced new hires, or with volunteers, students and interns, no matter how dedicated or well-meaning these individuals might be" said Lisa Walter, visitor services representative and member of the strike committee. "The Gallery needs a strong employee infrastructure in order to provide positive experiences for volunteers, students and interns alike, not to mention the public that we serve."

A No Board report was issued on Friday, Nov. 26. OPSEU Local 535 will be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on Mon. Dec. 13, and will close the gallery if they cannot reach a contract settlement.

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) (416) 448-7440 or cell (416) 561-5651
Barb Linds (OPSEU campaigns) (416) 593-1116
Lisa Walter (AGO visitor services and strike committee member) (416) 979-6660 ext. 5987
Lenny Fridman (President Local 535) (416) 979-6660 ext. 5915

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