Premier and top Cabinet minister get earful about OPS bargaining

November 19, 2008

OPSEU Regional Vice Presidents Doris Middleton (Region 3) and Gino Franche (Region 1) got an opportunity to speak frankly about OPS bargaining with leading members of the McGuinty Cabinet.  The occasion was  the Ottawa Trillium Dinner,  a major Ontario Liberal Party fund raising event to mark five years in power.  Though most in attendance were there to celebrate, OPSEU brought a more somber message about front line public service workers and OPSEU’s determination to achieve a fair contract.

Despite the evening snow storm, the hotel dining hall and corridors were packed with government MPPs and senior staff.   Before the formalities even started, OPSEU's delegation managed to exchange views with some key players.  These included Ted McMeekin, Government Services Minister and Cabinet point person on the Ontario Public Service and Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.  

After his speech, Premier McGuinty started a tour to greet paying guests but he was soon stalled at OPSEU’s table.   Our team offered him a blunt message about the importance of recognizing the critical role we play in every Ontario community.

Other Cabinet members lobbied by OPSEU’s team included George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure ;  Madeleine Meilleur, Community and Social Services, Michael Chan, Citizenship and Immigration ;  John Wilkinson, Research and Innovation and Monique Smith, Tourism Minister. 

Hopefully, as OPS bargaining continues, the reaction from Cabinet members  will  translate into a new attitude from government negotiators.