Bargaining Information Hotline. Regular updates from the bargaining table 1-866-811-7274
Mobilizing Hotline. Get plugged into mobilizing activities 1-877-561-8692

Tsubouchi didn’t really say that

On Mar. 21, the Toronto Star reported that Management Board chair David Tsubouchi is prepared to sweeten the offer to OPSEU if only we’d come back to the table (one that we’ve never left, by the way). They also reported that he said the government can do better than the wage increase offer of 1.95 per cent a year for three years, if the two sides can kick start the talks again.

Your bargaining team telephoned the employer yesterday morning to find out if they were indeed ready to come back to the table with an improved offer. Their response was, “That was a misquote.”

Oops!

In an article published by the Globe and Mail, Katie Fitzrandolph (OPSEU Communications Officer) is quoted as saying that essential workers would be getting 30 per cent on top of regular pay to balance increased dues. Katie has apologized to all those affected. She mistakenly gave the Globe inaccurate information.

Who really left the table

There have been many rumours about who left the table. Hopefully this will satisfy everyone as to what really happened (including the employer, who seems to have a lack of memory - all of a sudden).

On Sun., Mar. 10, your Bargaining Team worked on a proposal that we thought the employer would be willing to work with and talk about. At 2:00 a.m. on Mar. 11, we presented it to the employer. We waited for a response, which is customary during real bargaining. The entire team waited in the hall all day Monday and then finally, on Tues., Mar. 12 at 10:30 a.m., the employer called us back to the table. Their response to our proposal was that they were rejecting our proposal. At 10:33 a.m. the employer got up from the table, left, and never came back.

Your bargaining team remained at the bargaining centre until 12:30 a.m. on Wed., Mar. 13. The employer never returned or responded in any other way to our proposal.

Every day since Mar. 13, your bargaining team has remained at the centre, dealing with essential services disputes hearings at the Labour Board, answering your inquiries and above all waiting for this employer to come back to the negotiating table.

No essential services

We have had many questions about what would happen if people withdrew their essential services from this employer. The answer is quite clear. The employer would likely reconvene the legislature, enact back-to-work legislation, possibly impose fines and then impose a collective agreement of the government’s choosing.

Our inside strategy is working. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be at the Labour Relations Board every day. The employer will return to the table, and when they do, we will get an “A” contract - not the pathetic one the employer offered us on Feb. 14, 2002.

Attend PC leadership election

Busloads of strikers are planning to welcome the new Premier to the bargaining process on Sat., Mar. 23. The bargaining team is encouraging all available members to either hop on a bus to Toronto, or hand out leaflets at your local vote locations.

To find out where the local vote locations are, please go to www.ontarioservicesupdate.com  .

Previous Issues of the Real Deal
 

Download March 22, 2002 Issue of The Real Deal .