the AGO has chopped staff once
again, just one year after laying off experienced
educators, collections experts and other crucial
staff, and despite a recent cash injection from
Ottawa.
OPSEU local 535 has called on the
AGO to "cease and desist" on layoffs while they are
in negotiations for a new collective agreement.
Union representative Paula Whitmore explained that
key issues of their negotiations hinge around job
security and layoffs. Discussing these issues
without a ratified agreement would put members at
risk.
On February 22, the AGO announced a
$7.5 million contribution from the federal
government’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and
heralded the new plans for the Weston Family
Learning Centre, including expanded art education
programs. It was then, says OPSEU, that they should
have sat down with the local union to discuss how to
create a stable working environment for their
employees throughout this transition.
"Why does this employer continue to
fuel the fire with its anti-labour actions? asks
Smokey Thomas, OPSEU President. "An employer which
prides itself in promoting public access to the arts
should sit down in a decent manner with our union
representatives and negotiate a fair collective
agreement before announcing layoffs of more of its
dedicated employees".
There are 39 jobs affected, and many
of these workers will be out the door as of April 1-
right in the midst of a booming King Tut exhibition,
with Summer camp season approaching, and with huge
plans for expanding education work at the AGO. How
can teachers, community neighbors and the public
have confidence that their best interests are at
heart with such brash actions by management?
AGO staff, many of them artists in
need of part-time employment to pursue their
passions, have worked hard and dedicated themselves
to building a great gallery focused on arts
education. They deserve a fair deal.
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