TORONTO – A new agreement ratified Tuesday has averted a potential strike at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union at the gallery overwhelmingly approved the new settlement.

The new contract, which runs until Nov. 30, 2002, has none of the concessions demanded by the AGO in earlier bargaining.

A proposed two-tier wage structure has been withdrawn. Gallery staff will receive a lump sum 1 per cent immediately, 2 per cent retroactive to Dec. 1, a further 2 per cent on Dec. 1 in each of 2000 and 2001.

The gallery withdrew demands of benefit concessions and agreed to modest improvements to the pension plan.

No contracting out language has been extended to part-timers, who are guaranteed they will not lose their jobs through any contracting out.

A new letter of understanding makes it clear that gallery volunteers will not be responsible for supervision of union members.

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications) (416) 448-7440 or home (416) 561-5651