April 9, 2008

“Perfect storm” a perfect opportunity, Thomas tells activists

LONDON – OPSEU must be ready to support more than 90,000 members who are in bargaining over the next year, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas told a meeting of about 80 OPSEU leaders April 9.

“We call this the Perfect Storm because it is unprecedented in the history of our union to have so many large contracts in play at the same time,” Thomas said. “It represents both a challenge to us, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to do what we do best.”

The “Perfect Storm” information meeting was one of a series of regional meetings intended to bolster union-wide solidarity as negotiations get underway over the next few months.

Contracts for community colleges support staff, the Ontario Public Service,  hospital professionals and liquor board employees – covering about 75,000 members in total – are due to expire within the next year. In addition, more than 130 of OPSEU’s contracts for smaller agencies in the Broader Public Service will be in negotiations over the coming months, covering another 15,000 members.

Representatives from the various provincial divisions in bargaining outlined the timelines and objectives in their upcoming bargaining.

Vanda Klumper, chair of the Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED), noted that for the first time next month, LCBO members will be electing their bargaining team. Prior to the merger with OPSEU in 2005, the bargaining representatives were appointed. The LBED aims to begin to change some historic inequities in their collective agreement.

Yves Shank, chair of the Hospital Professionals Division, said his team aims to reach a central agreement with the Ontario Hospital Association without resorting to arbitration, a bargaining feat that has been accomplished only once in the past 20 years.

Eric Morin, chair of the Central Enforcement and Renewal Committee for the OPS, said OPS demand-setting questionnaires are now being distributed to all locals and negotiations will begin in November.

He said it is crucial that all OPS locals appoint “information stewards” to provide one-on-one contact with members.

Dan Sidsworth, chair of the Corrections Division ministry team, said that the issues of overcrowding in the province’s jails will loom large over upcoming negotiations.

Roger Couvrette, representing part-time college workers, announced that OPSEU would be filing a certification application at the Ontario Labour Relations Board next week for up to 12,000 college part-timers. If successful, bargaining for these members could begin soon for a first contract.

President Thomas summed up the meeting with a pitch for union-wide solidarity. “It’s essential that all OPSEU members support each other as we head into these negotiations. If we do that, we can’t lose.”

Besides London, meetings were held in Hamilton April 7, and Toronto, April 9. Perfect Strom meetings will be scheduled for the other regions shortly.