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TORONTO – The president of the union representing 42,000 direct employees of the
Ontario government calls the employer’s opening offer for a new contract a "slap
in the face."
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says that he is extremely disappointed
with the stance the government has taken at the bargaining table.
"For months now, the government has told us there would be change for the
better," Thomas said. "We believed them when they said they wanted a good
relationship with their employees and the union. Their actions so far have been
completely the opposite."
OPSEU and the government met for the first time on Nov. 4 to exchange
proposals for a new contract. Thomas says the long list of concessions the
employer is asking for is totally unacceptable.
"What our teams saw on Tuesday was nothing more than a direct attack on the
dedicated professional men and women that deliver vital public services to the
people of Ontario," Thomas said. "What we saw on Tuesday was a bargaining
position that mirrored the worst of the Mike Harris years.
Thomas is calling on the Premier to live up to the words of praise he has for
the public service and get bargaining on track.
"Just a month ago, the Premier sent a letter to all public service workers,
praising them for their dedication, professionalism and passion for providing
service," Thomas said. "We are calling on the Premier to immediately take charge
and direct his negotiators to live up to the words that the Premier himself has
spoken."
The contract for public service workers expires on Dec. 31, 2008. OPSEU has
public service members in 5,000 worksites in 276 communities across the
province. |
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