Issue #17  January 10, 2002

We have spent the week receiving specifics around the employers’ proposal. If you recall, when the employer tabled their proposal (The Real Deal, Dec. 20, 2001), they indicated that details would follow. We are now at that point.

It has been a slow process as the management lead, Doug Gray, continues to be told by “the folks down at the ranch” what to present to us at the table.

Apparently, patience is key!

Our public campaign continues to strengthen. If you look up you may just see someone you know on a billboard in your community. Scaled down posters of the billboard design are being produced for the locals.

The “Enough is Enough” video that was mailed to your local in December is now on the OPSEU web-site. Local presidents will also receive CD-ROMs containing the video as well as one minute clips that didn’t make the VHS version. Please feel free to copy them and distribute widely.

A day of intensive media training has been set up for staff, team-members, regional mobilizers and board members to further strengthen our public campaign and communication strategy. The training is set for Jan. 22 at the Delta Airport Hotel.

The essential service agreements have all been signed and OPSEU’s printing department will be very busy this weekend copying thousands of pieces of paper. The agreements will be in the mail to local presidents next week.

Region 1 held the Inside/Outside Strike Strategy training this past weekend and it was a huge success.

Here’s what members had to say:

“Excellent training.”
“As a result of the training, I’ll make sure our strike committees are up and running.”
“We’ll put the pressure on!”
“Your are doing a great job, thank you for being there for us.”
“Excellent learning experience – a confidence booster – go OPSEU go”
“We’ll become a vocal presence in the court house”

The following training dates have been scheduled so far in January.

Starting next week, President Leah Casselman kicks off a province-wide tour of worksites across the province to raise awareness for OPS Bargaining. Activities for the tour include walkabouts in OPS worksites, lunch meetings and/or evening members’ meetings, and press conferences.

The initial tours will take place on the following dates:

Jan. 15 - Downtown Toronto, Queen’s Park office, 12- 2 p.m.

Jan. 16 - London, press conference at 11 a.m., walkabouts from 12 noon – 3 p.m.

Jan. 17 - Toronto North York cluster, North York library

Watch here for more dates as they are confirmed.

The employer’s Pay for Performance proposal is really a disguise for taking money out of our pockets instead of putting it in. Pay for Performance removes the merit increase and grid system, along with everyone’s right to progression.

Under the proposal for pay for performance, instead of paying everyone, as is now the case, the employer (most likely your supervisor) would get to pick and choose who gets an increase. Remember, this is not new money! This is money owing to you already. Chances are that your supervisors are also on pay for performance and part of their bonus will be based on what they’ve not spent in this available envelope of money.

Who won’t get pay for performance?

If you are already at the top of the wage grid for your classification, Pay for Performance increases would not apply to you – even if you bake your boss a cake all year long. Unclassified staff would also be frozen at their current rate of pay for now and ever more.

Being “plugged in” is taking on new meaning as member mobilizers continue to communicate with members. Kudos to the members and member mobilizers who are our inspiration at the table. The province is heating up and you folks are controlling the furnace.

If you know of a local or segment of members that are not plugged in, please talk to them yourselves or contact your regional office for a list of mobilizers.

Unclassified court workers are filing group grievances seeking conversion to classified positions. This is happening as a direct result of the mobilization and face-to-face meetings happening in each Region.

Posters have been circulated to our members throughout the Province. It’s important to display them in appropriate locations where you have members.

Several of you have been asking about the proposals tabled from the employer and union. The Real Deal from December 20, 2001 has a complete list of all demands. To access the Real Deal, log onto the OPSEU web site at www.opseu.org and go the OPS bargaining icon. You can also download the summary in Adobe PDF format at: http://www.opseu.org/ops/bargaining/union&employer_agenda.PDF  

“When the tiger is wounded, he is most dangerous!” – 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