Bargaining continues; down to ‘crunch time’
Bargaining continues at the Central/Unified table this week as the deadline for a Dec. 23 deal looms closer.
Wages, benefits and job security provisions are still at issue, with the union working to shape a settlement that is fair and acceptable to the members.
“The employer’s one and one-half per cent wage increase guideline that came out last week is well below most public service settlements,” says Central/Unified team chair Eric Morin. “With takeaways still on the table, that kind of wage offer wouldn’t come close.”
Conciliators from the Ontario Labour Relations Board officially arrived this past Monday to assist the two sides in getting to an agreement. With only one full week of bargaining left until the deadline, the bargaining team will need every bit of member support it can get.
“We need every member, in every part of the province, in every workplace, to send the employer a visible message of support for the bargaining teams,” Morin says. “We are down to crunch time; member support will make all the difference in the world.”
Corrections outraged at sick time report
The Corrections Team continues to go over the employer’s comprehensive package. However, we are outraged at the recent Auditor General’s report on Adult Institution sick time usage.
No mention was given to the ongoing problems of overcrowding, offenders with communicable disease, offenders with mental health problems and violence.
“We have been dealing with these unacceptable conditions for over 20 years,” says Dave Graves, Region 5 member and past Corrections MERC team member. “The employer should recognize the problems that attribute to sick time, not attack the members who suffer daily in the workplaces.” Members in the Corrections bargaining unit know these issues have been ongoing for a long time, but the government would rather slash our entitlements than deal with the issues that affect our health.
The Corrections team is committed to fighting off this unjust attack on our members’ rights.
Corrections Quote of the Week
"He who endures, conquers."
A tribute to heroes
On Monday, Dec. 8, the Corrections Team along with negotiator Rob Field waited on a bridge over the “Highway of Heroes” portion of Highway 401 to pay tribute to the three fallen Canadian soldiers. The team stood with many other people from the community who were also there to pay their respects. It was an overwhelming experience..
Dec. 10 “Fight For Your Rights” Day a province-wide success
Chanting “We won’t back down” and “no justice, no peace”, unclassified OPSEU members in Toronto were one of the many rallies around the province Wednesday.
Over 250 attended the Toronto rally, which featured a march through the streets of Toronto to the rally point at the main government complex on Wellesley Street.
Speakers included OPSEU’s President and 1st Vice-President Treasurer Smokey Thomas and Patty Rout, unclassified bargaining team members Nathan Aubin and Chris Cormier and mobilizers Kristy Grahame and Daryl O’Grady.
But the Toronto rally was just one of many events held across Ontario. Events were also held in Windsor, Sarnia, Chatham, Niagara, Hamilton, Simcoe, Orillia, Barrie, Midhurst, Whitby, Oshawa, Peterborough, Lindsay, Ottawa, Brockville, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay and Fort Frances. Many of these rallies also attracted local media.
Smokey’s message at the Toronto rally was clear and simple: Stop the abuse of unclassifieds. “If you want to talk about stimulating the economy, decent jobs with good wages and benefits do far more for our families and communities than any other kind of economic stimulus,” he said.
For a write up on events and photos from the
day, go to www.opseu.org/ops/barg2008/Unclassified-workers-rally-review.htm.
All I want for the holiday...
This week, 10,000 stickers that read “All I want for the holiday is a fair contract” were sent out to locals across the province. Wear them in the workplace to send a clear message to the employer.
Picket planned for Niagara DC
Local 252 at the Niagara Detention Centre invites all members to an information picket Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on. Management prevented unclassified correctional officers from attending the unclassified rally in Toronto on Dec. 10 by scheduling them that day for mandatory four-hour training.
“This is a classic intimidation tactic that is typical of management at NDC,” said Kristy Grahame, Local 252 steward and provincial unclassified mobilizer. “If our officers can’t go to Toronto to support OPSEU, we'll bring OPSEU to them!”
Local media and MPPs have been invited to the rally, and food and beverages will be provided. Contact Kristy at
Kristyrocks24@hotmail.com.
Original authorized for distribution:
Eric Morin, Chair
Central/Unified Team
David Kerr, Chair
Corrections Team
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
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