Open letter from Dalton McGuinty to Ernie Eves
regarding the OPSEU Strike
April 11, 2002
Mr. Ernie Eves, MPP
Premier-Designate
Office of the Premier of Ontario
Room 281, Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A1
OPEN LETTER
Dear Mr. Eves:
As I am sure you are aware, today’s Toronto Star and Globe and Mail report that the provincial government predicts the Ontario public service strike could continue for several more weeks. Both newspapers also indicate that the source of this information was a memo released yesterday to the senior echelon
of the public service. It is quite clear that the document in question was deliberately leaked to the media.
Government has an inherent responsibility to bargain in good faith and do its utmost to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. By violating the media blackout currently in force, I believe your government is purposely attempting to divide OPSEU members. Not only are these tactics unfair --- they are offensive. They
also reflect your government’s cavalier attitude toward its responsibility to the people of this province.
Mr. Eves, I find it incomprehensible that --- despite the Walkerton tragedy, chaos in our public schools and reduced children’s services --- the government is once again daring to put public safety at risk. The strike, now into its fifth week, is taking its toll on the Ontario public, who are anxious to have their
services restored. Yet, as is blatantly clear from its memo of yesterday, the government appears to be in no hurry to see it come to an end.
Ontario’s public service employees deserve to be treated with fairness and respect. I believe they are anxious to get back on the job so they can continue to provide vital services to the Ontario public. Violating previously accepted negotiation terms and bargaining underhandedly are demoralizing courses of action that
can only hinder a speedy resolution.
Rather than playing games with public safety, I urge you and your government to stop running from your responsibility to Ontarians. I encourage you to bargain in good faith and settle this matter as quickly as possible. The public demands nothing less.
Yours truly,
Dalton McGuinty, MPP
Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
