Issue #18  January 17, 2002

Rumours are running rampant out there! We are hearing things like phantom wage increases, unclassified issues being taken off the table, and deals being signed. Of course, none of these rumours are true.

Remember, if you don’t read it here, it’s not dependable information. We will keep you up to date.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of mobilizers and members, we are making progress at the Central Table. Although negotiations continue to move slowly, there seems to be a desire on the employer’s part to exchange information instead of paying lip service.

Your work is paying off! Continue to wear your OPSEU colours proudly. Continue to support your regional mobilizers and bargaining team members. Continue to talk to your co-workers about the issues.

Member support, that's the best way to achieve an “A” contract.

When the concept of “Term Classified” was introduced as part of Bill 25, we fought it because we recognized it for what it was - a way for the employer to further reduce decent, full-time positions. We lost that particular fight when Bill 25 became law.

We’re now faced with the reality of Term Classified positions, and the reality of its definition. The employer introduced the concept in their proposal to us in December.

Wouldn’t it have been great if the employer decided to deal with their current employees in an effective manner instead of creating a phantom class of people?

The agreements have been copied, divided into worksites, packaged up and are on their way to your Regional Office. Barring unforeseen circumstances, you will be able to pick up yours on Friday.

The employer continues to ignore the efforts of the Central Team and the Corrections Team to move issues from one table to the other. We point out that the problem lies with the employer, not the Teams.

We are working together to ensure that all members’ interests are met. This week’s Correct View has information about how you can help us to reach our objectives. Please visit http://www.opseu.org/ops/bargaining/corrbargjan17.htm  for more information.

OPSEU president Leah Casselman kicked off her regional tours on Tues., Jan. 15 with a press conference about the release of the Walkerton Report. Accompanying Leah were the opposition Environment Critics, NDP Deputy House Leader Marilyn Churley and St. Catharines Liberal MPP Jim Bradley. In addition, both MPPs signed a pledge agreeing to the renewal of the Public Service.

Central Team chair Marg Simmons and vice-chair Mark Kotanen also attended the press conference, along with 310 members. “It was great to see that the NDP and Liberal parties recognize the true value of an impartial and professional public service,” said Simmons.

True to form, the Tories sent no elected representatives to this important event, but instead chose to send a communications officer to ensure that their spin was in the press.

Contact your Regional Offices for the future dates and times that President Casselman will visiting worksites.

OPSEU is in its second phase of member polling on bargaining-related issues. This is an excellent opportunity for members in the OPS to express their views. Viewpoints Research is conducting the poll on behalf of OPSEU, and will be phoning members at home over the next several days.

We would ask that members co-operate with the polling, as it will give us important bargaining data. If you have questions about the poll, contact Randy Robinson at OPSEU Head Office.

You will notice when you get your essential service agreements that there is an attachment to the Office Administration section. In a decision dated November 23, 2001, arbitrator Kathleen O’Neill ruled, “that where, at the time of a work stoppage, a position previously agreed to be essential at the OAD table has been vacant for six months or more, the position will no longer be considered essential, subject to the right of either party to raise anomalies.”

There is also a vacancy list attached that represents the employers’ best effort to capture the scope of the vacancies in the Courts. In the event of a work stoppage, the number of positions designated as essential should be decreased accordingly if the vacancies still exist.

Mobilizing among unclassified members across the province is well under way and remains a vital component of bargaining.

If you would like to obtain information about ongoing issues in relation to the demands that have gone forward, contact your Central Mobilization Unclassified Unit. They can be reached at 1-800-268-7376 ext. 382. Information in relation to mobilization initiatives can also be obtained from any of your Regional Mobilization offices.

Do not hesitate to remind your Central Team regional representatives of how important your issues are. We are all in this together!

OPSEU’s “Enough is Enough” OPS bargaining video has members talking all over the province. The video has received rave reviews from the members and is a powerful tool for getting our message out.

Now’s your chance to prove your powers of observation. We are holding a contest based on the video and if you correctly answer the following question, you can win. The answer is contained in the “Enough is Enough” video. The question is:

How many different types of work are represented in the “Enough is Enough” video?

Fax your answer to the Central Team at (416) 815-1412. The first member’s name drawn with the correct answer will win an OPSEU polar vest, as well as a pizza lunch for their local. Deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 28.

If you haven’t already seen the video, arrange to do so as soon as possible. If you already have, watch it again. It’s worth it!

An OPSEU ActionFax sent out yesterday reported on a grievance win that resulted in an increase for mileage rates in the OPS.

The ActionFax omitted the fact that the increase was only in effect from April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001, and that mileage rates reverted back to the old rate as of January 1, 2002.

A permanent increase to the mileage rate is one of your demands, and is being pursued at the bargaining table by the Central Team.

Quote of the week

“When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it in practice.” - Bismarck

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