Issue #16  January 3, 2002

A message from your Team chair

I hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday season. Some of you have contacted us concerning the proposals that we put forward and received. We’ve heard quite clearly that you want us to continue in our vigor to get your demands.

Your diligence has kept things moving at the bargaining table. Your mobilization, support and action are having an impact on this employer and I can’t tell you how important it is to continue these activities. In fact, turn it up a notch. Have fun, and let the boss know that the work you do is important, and that you, as an employee, are important. Let them know that you are not willing to accept anything less than an “A” contract.

In solidarity,
Marg Simmons

Special cases continue to be a topic on many members’ minds. A significant number of cases were submitted and we have taken them all very seriously.

Some submissions were not deemed to be special cases. The removal of certain classifications from Schedule 6 is one such example, and they have been moved to an appropriate category. Others add to the fact that the Joint System Sub-Committee, which deals with classification issues, does not work in its present form. We need an independent arbitrator to settle classification issues.

All special cases received by the Central Team have been forwarded to the employer for their consideration. We have not received a response yet.

In response to your queries, we wish to point out that any wage increases the team is negotiating centrally are intended to be over and above any gains made in special cases.

Is your boss afraid of the truth?

It would appear so. Access to the OPSEU web site is being blocked in some workplaces. Why? What has the employer to worry about? Surely they aren’t afraid that members will actually take all of the information they receive and make an informed decision. They certainly don’t seem to place much faith in our members’ creativity at getting to the truth. It’s not easy to cover up the facts.

This tells us is that our communications efforts are working. Members are reading the truth when they read The Real Deal and The Correct View. It is vital that you continue to read the truth. If you have access to the Internet, please download The Real Deal and The Correct View and post them on your union boards, pass them out on coffee break and talk about them every opportunity you get. We will keep our promise to give you all of the information, but as the saying goes, if you tell two friends, they’ll tell two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on…

The success of the Inside/Outside strike training has far exceeded our expectations. Members are telling us that they finally feel prepared if they are designated essential in the event of a strike or lockout.

The training was in pilot form in some areas in December, and it is now moving into full gear. The following training dates have been confirmed in January.

Talk to your local about getting the “inside scoop” that this training will provide.

We received an e-mail concerning Issue #15 (December 20, 2001), asking for clarification about the employer’s proposal on reasonable efforts. Specifically, it was asked what an “RFP” is. An RFP is a Request for Proposal, which is a document sent out by the government asking for bids on services that are to be privatized.

We are reminded to be conscientious about the use of acronyms and we will be sure to clarify them in the future.

Most of the Essential Service agreements are ready for printing. However, the employer seems to want to go through some of settled agreements again.

As far as we are concerned, those agreements are complete. If the employer chooses not to sign off the agreements, that will be their prerogative and the employer will be free to dispute them. We will forward you our copy of the agreements when we’ve agreed to them.

Still trying to move issues

At the OPS All Presidents meeting in October, 2000, delegates voted to restructure OPS bargaining and this resulted in two tables: one central table and one corrections table. Delegates also voted that the central table was to make every effort to move items that the Corrections Team wished to bargain separately from the central table to the corrections table.

We have made the request to move specific items verbally at the table and formally in writing. The employer continues to deny this request. Watch here as this issue unfolds.

“All war is based on deception, so deceive the enemy, not yourself.” - Anon.

You can contact the Central Team directly at (416) 815-1406, by fax at (416) 815-1412 or by e-mail at centralteam@opseu.org 

Marg Simmons
Chair, L. 263, (905) 844-5239 (after hours)

Mark Kotanen,
Vice-chair, L. 128, (519) 336-6926 (after hours) mkotanen@tct.net 

Jeff Bendig
L. 434, (613) 364-7580 (after hours), jeffbendig@hotmail.com 

Teri Breau-Auzins
L. 506, (416) 721-2767 (after hours), teriauzins@rogers.com 

Joseph Catroppa
L. 736, (807) 628-5147 (after hours), jncat@tbaytel.net 

Laurie Chapman
L. 323, (705) 323-8172 (after hours), lchapman@bconnex.net 

Michel Chaumont
L. 623, chaumont@attcanada.net 

Darwin Lacelle
L. 447, 416 815 1406, dmlacell@nrtco.net

Steve Nield
L. 123, (519) 383-5643 (after hours)

Sandra Noad
L. 101, (519) 657-9518 (weekends), sanoad@rogers.com 

James Roland
L. 720, (807) 345-4609 (after hours), jimrol@hotmail.com 

Serge Valcourt
L. 634, (705) 497-4393 (after hours), opseu.634@sympatico.ca 

Peter Wall
L. 638, (416) 815-1406