AMAPCEO guideline re: OPSEU picketsMEMO TO: Chapter Chairs
FROM: Gary Gannage
DATE: March 7, 2002
SUBJECT: Possible OPSEU Strike
As you know, OPSEU members have recently voted in favour of taking job action in the OPS. Whether there will be a strike or lock-out, or when it may occur, is not yet known. I am writing, however, to convey AMAPCEO’s support for our OPSEU colleagues as
they move to this next stage in their efforts to negotiate a new collective agreement and to encourage our members, through you, to demonstrate that support on an individual basis in the most appropriate way at the local level.
Examples of such support in the past have included walking on OPSEU picket lines before or after normal working hours or during breaks, providing refreshments to pickets, wearing OPSEU buttons (along with your AMAPCEO buttons and lanyards), respecting picket line protocols and
communicating your views (verbally and in writing) to senior OPS management and MPPs.
As you know, AMAPCEO employees are legally required to report to work during a strike by another bargaining agent because we have a collective agreement. We will be posting shortly on the AMAPCEO website guidelines with respect to our rights and obligations during a strike.
Basically, however, our members are under an obligation to make a good faith effort to try to report to work but, ultimately, they must exercise individual judgement to determine whether it is safe or advisable to cross a picket line and, if they think it is not safe or advisable, to contact their manager for assistance and advice.
Strikes can be disruptive to the normal routines of the workplace; that is their purpose. I will personally be walking on the OPSEU picket line on a daily basis in the event of a strike or lock-out and I encourage all AMAPCEO officials and members to do likewise. OPSEU members
supported AMAPCEO during our negotiations with the Employer and it is only right that we show the same support in return. By supporting each other through these trying times, we will all emerge stronger, thereby making the OPS a better place in which to work.
Sincerely,
Gary Gannage
President
cc: Members of the Board of Directors
AMAPCEO Staff
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