Bargaining continues despite government “threat”
Bargaining continued at the Central/Unified
table despite a government release that limits increases to MPPs,
senior managers and any public servants earning over $150,000 to
1.5 per cent per year.
“We believe that the government was trying to
send us a message that 1.5 per cent is now the going rate for
wage settlements,” says Eric Morin, Chair of the Central/Unified
Team. “However, last time I checked, there weren’t many of our
members making $150,000 a year.”
Morin says his team is angry that the government
is trying to bargain the contract in the public. “They can come
to us with 1.5 per cent, but they had better realize that it
flies in the face of all their latest praise for the work of our
members.”
The biggest contradiction to this government
message is a pending settlement with the Elementary Teachers
Federation of Ontario which would result in a three per cent
increase per year over a four-year contract.
“The teachers’ offer was the government’s
opening offer,” Morin said. “When you also consider that there
are lots of BPS groups who have also settled for three per cent,
this “threat” of 1.5 per cent is insulting. It shows a total
lack of respect for our members and the work they do…work that
Secretary of Cabinet Shelly Jamieson said ‘affects the quality
of life for over 12 million Ontarians’ just weeks ago.”
Members are encouraged to continue to show
visible support in their workplaces so that the employer knows
we are standing together.
Corrections pensions should be on the Corrections table
The Corrections Bargaining Team,
along with the Central/Unified Team, has requested that the
employer move pension negotiations for Public Safety Occupations
(as allowed by Federal legislation) to the corrections
bargaining table.
Tom O’Neill, Region 4 team
member says, “My members live and work in the same community as
Federal correctional officers - they should also have the
ability to retire early. We perform the identical duties and
deserve the same recognition.”
The pension issue has been
addressed at the corrections table in previous rounds. Yet this
time the employer has refused to allow us to negotiate pensions
on your behalf. We will not let this issue go and we will
continue to pursue the pension issue.
The Corrections Bargaining Team
is encouraged by the support it has been receiving from the
members during the last week. We know with your continued
support we can achieve a fair and reasonable collective
agreement for all.
Corrections Quote of the Week
“There are two primary choices
in life: accept conditions as they exist, or accept the
responsibility for changing them”
Dec.
10 is Unclassified Members’ “Fight For Your Rights” Day
Don’t forget to make plans to attend “Fight For
Your Rights” Day this coming Wednesday.
Events are scheduled across the province, with a
large event scheduled for Toronto. The Toronto rally assembles
at noon at 25 Grosvenor St., then participants march to 77
Wellesley St. for the main rally. The route will take members
past many OPS worksites, and we’re sure the members will make
themselves heard!
Contact you OPS mobilizers for details, or go to
www.opseu.org.
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