Bargaining
OPS Bargaining – Opening Positions
Central / Unified Table
At the Central/Unified table, the employer prefaced their
proposal by telling the teams that economic times are tough, and that would
likely affect bargaining. While this was not unexpected, OPSEU maintains the
position that stable, good-paying public service jobs provide the services
that benefit a slowing economy.
The employer’s position includes:
-
a proposal for cost containment measures (cuts) to the
benefit plans
-
“mass centralized recruitment” (pool hiring)
-
elimination of rest breaks and eye exams for VDT
operators
-
adding an extra layer of government oversight to the
grievance process
-
elimination of termination payment accrual, effective
January 1, 2009, for members who resign or retire
-
elimination of enhanced severance and reasonable efforts
language
-
eliminate the agreement on reducing the percentage of
the number of unclassified employees in the public service
-
elimination of Surplus Factor 80
The employer has also proposed that the date to resolve
problems with the classification system be extended to the end of 2012.
Throughout the proposal, the employer has stated “Any cost
containment generated would be redirected to the total compensation
package.” We believe this translates as the members would have to pay for
their own improvements through cuts elsewhere in the agreement.
OPSEU’s Unified proposal includes improvements to wages,
shift and weekend premiums, hours of work, holidays and special case
adjustments.
At the Central table, the proposal includes improvements to
benefits (dental, eye care and hospital coverage) as well as providing
benefits to unclassified employees, and improvements for retirees. The union
has also asked for increases to holidays, pension improvements, cost of
living allowance and improvements to health and safety. There are also many
proposals for improvements for unclassified and seasonal employees, as well
as for flexible part-time employees.
You can download the actual proposals below:
Central / Unified
Opening Position
Employer Opening
Position
