Bargaining News

OPSEU members speak up for equal treatment for unclassified workers

December 12, 2008

OPSEU members participated in Unclassified “Fight For Your Rights” Day, Dec. 10 in different ways. More than one of out of five OPSEU members in the Ontario Public Service is unclassified with no benefits or job security.

Dec. 10 was also the kick-off of the Equal Pay Equal Work campaign by OPSEU members in the Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED). Dec. 10 marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that says “Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.”

Windsor

Mobilizer Helen Haggith reports OPS members joined LBED members in leafleting outside the LCBO store at Lauzon Parkway. Helen says she was very successful having members of the public sign the Equal Pay Equal Work petition started by LBED. “It was bitterly cold but overall I’d say it was a success. It was good to work together with OPSEU members in a different local and who work under a different collective agreement.”

Chatham

The Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) is one of the worst offenders for the use and abuse of unclassified employees. More than 1,300 OPSEU members at the MAG are unclassified. OPSEU members held an information picket outside the Chatham courthouse on Dec. 11. “We had a lot of drivers honking their support,” reports mobilizer Helen Haggith. The Chatham newspaper covered the picket.

Sarnia

Mobilizer Bev Quackenbush reports that they had a successful picket at the Bayshore mall where there are number of OPS worksites. Media came out to cover the picket. There is a picket Dec. 12 outside the Sarnia courthouse that the Sarnia Labour Council is supporting.

Niagara

Locals 211 and 270 both marked the days with luncheon walks, reports mobilizer Cindy Falcao.

Hamilton

OPSEU locals in the government building on 119 King St. W. marked the day by wearing the blue trillium t-shirts and buttons. Stewards on their lunch hour met with members on different floors of the buiding, reports mobilizer Cindy Falcao.

Simcoe

Mobilizer Cindy Falcao reports there was a successful information picket by Local 220 at the Sprucedale Youth Centre. “Members are very appreciative of the mobilization efforts going on throughout the whole province,” she said.

Toronto

Over 250 members who came from Toronto-area locals and in buses and vans from London, Hamilton, Smith Falls and Sudbury participated in a march and rally at the government buildings. For more info, see www.opseu.org/ops/barg2008/Unclassified-workers-rally-in-Toronto.htm  

Close to 200 members came out for a solidarity breakfast hosted by Local 504 at the food court at 5700 Yonge St. Members took back to the workplace OPSEU buttons, stickers, tattoos, pennants and leaflets, report local president Gary Lawrence.  Building security, attracted by the spirited crowd, unsuccessfully asked the members to leave the premises. The office building is where the members work.

Local 542 hosted a lunch at 1201 Wilson Ave. to mark the day.

Orillia, Barrie and Midhurst

Mobilizer Ken Hord reports that he handed out Dignity buttons in Local 313, ODSP. He met with unclassified members in Local 338. He joined in at the Equal Pay Equal Work event at the LCBO store in Barrie. A number of OPS members from Central North Correctional Centre joined in with other OPSEU members at the event. He met with L. 313 members in the MNR office in Midhurst.

Whitby and Oshawa

Local 340 held an extended coffee break, Local 302 marked the day and Local 333 showed solidarity with unclassified members.

Peterborough

Local 308 and 362 went through more than 40 pizzas at their lunch. More than 200  members came through the lobby at 300 Water Street, reports mobilizer Cindy Hayes-Wright.

Lindsay

More than 200 Local 368 members had food and participated in an information picket outside Central East Correctional Centre, reports mobilizer Derek Bailey. The event was covered on the evening and late-night news.

Ottawa

A planned noon-time barbecue outside the Ottawa courthouse didn’t go ahead because of a malfunctioning barbecue but pizzas were ordered at a number of different worksites to mark the day, reports mobilizer Shelley Moody. An information picket that evening at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre attracted more than 100 members of Local 411. The presidents of Local 411, 414 and 446 were present as well as members of 411, 424, and 499.

Brockville

Mobilizer Bryan Adderley reports that Local 440 hosted an event in front of the Brockville Courthouse and Brockville Jail on from 11:30 am to 1:30pm to support Unclassified "Fight for Your Rights" Day. Gary Harrison (President of L440) was interviewed by the local paper. Many members of Local 440 came out into the snow to enjoy tasty picket dogs. Unfortunately, no managers came out to savour the dogs that were especially prepared for them on a separate round BBQ. Local media covered the event.

North Bay

Local 616 at the North Bay Jail hosted a barbecue that drew 50 members out in subzero temperatures, reports mobilizer Diane Gallupe.

Sault Ste. Marie

There were four events held to mark the day, reports mobilizer Pierre Verhelst.  The Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre had a lunch for their unclassifieds that was well-attended. Over 75 members enjoyed pizza at the Travel Lodge. MNR Aviation Services at the airport had a gathering of over 50 people. And the Ontario Forest Research Institute marked the day at its four sites.

Sudbury

More than 60 members braved the cold temperatures, -25 with the wind chill, to stress the importance of making improvements for unclassified members, reports mobilizer Norm Pilon. There was a rally and barbecue outside the Sudbury courthouse. Guest speakers included Dean Holmes from the Sudbury Jail, Steve Parcey from Cecil Facer, Health Hoddinoot from the Sudbury courthouse and Keith Argent from MNR.

Timmins

“We had an excellent rally in Timmins,” reports mobilizer Ivan Cragg. Over 35 members from Local 642 at Monteith Correctional Centre, participated in a rally, as did Local 649  members from MNR . The members briefly took over the Tim Hortons where they used their union-purchased coffee cards. The local media covered the event. “We gave a donation of over $400 to the local food bank plus food items,” Ivan reports. “I want to express my sincere thanks to Chris Samour, president of the Monteith Correctional Centre, all of the members and staff who attended and showed their support for both unclassifieds and the OPS bargaining team.

Thunder Bay

More than 50 members came out to a lunchtime rally outside the government building on 435 Jane Street, reports mobilizers Terri Morris and Ernie Brayshaw, to demand a fair contract and equal treatment of unclassified members. Santa Claus made a special appearance.

Fort Frances

Local 735 hosted a pizza lunch to mark the day at the OPSEU membership centre..