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March 15, 2002
AN OPEN LETTER FROM HOWARD HAMPTON
IN SOLIDARITY WITH OPSEU
Ms. Leah Casselman
President
OPSEU
100 Lesmill Rd.
North York, ON M3B 3P8
Dear Ms. Casselman:
I want to express in writing the solidarity that Ontario New Democrats have with you and your members as you strike for better, fairer wages after seven years of falling behind.
The MPPs of the NDP Caucus and I wholeheartedly back your actions and your end goal.
You will see us on the picket lines shoulder to shoulder with you. You will hear and read of our support for you in the media. As NDP Leader, I stand with you ready to assist in any way I can to bolster the spirits of your members and sustain their resolve to win a just and
negotiated settlement.
From our vantage point as New Democrats across the legislative floor from the Conservatives, and seeing firsthand the damage their policies have created, we share your view that respect and fairness for workers is woefully lacking.
New Democrats voted unanimously against golden raises for MPPs, which were ushered in without debate in the Conservative/Liberal accord of 2001. I said then that MPPs should have a debate, arrive at a reasonable pay increase and extend that same increase to our OPSEU workers. I don't want more pay:
I want to see the hard work of our provincial employees rewarded and their jobs protected.
The reality of a job action is that you quickly determine who your friends are. I hope our demonstrable support shows OPSEU members without a doubt that the NDP is on your side and will express this support at every available opportunity.
Yours in solidarity,
(ORIGINAL SIGNED)
Howard Hampton, Leader
Ontario New Democratic Party
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