Issue #30 March 8, 2002
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” - Peter Marshall, Presbyterian minister
Offer made - two days late
Today, the employer finally decided to show us their “new but not so improved” proposal on benefits, something that they said was offered (according to their own press release) two days ago. The employer doesn’t seem to understand that our members have no mood for concessions. While they did offer some minor
improvements, their takeaways were worth 10 million dollars more.
“That’s 10 million dollars of your money that the employer wants to take away - every year. That is simply unacceptable,” said Marg Simmons, chair of the OPS Central Team. “We remain encouraged by their apparent willingness to come to the table. According to their most recent press release, they are prepared to meet around the clock to get
a settlement. So far, their clock has only had eight hours on it, but we will see. We are here, ready to bargain, and this is where we’ll stay.”
Your Central Team plans to continue bargaining throughout the weekend and on up until the Mar. 13 deadline. Watch here for daily updates.
Conservation officers picket in Toronto
Conservation officers from across southern Ontario met in Toronto Wed., Mar. 6 to hold an information picket at the offices of Management Board chair Davis Tsubouchi and Natural Resources minister John Snobelen. The officers were there to protest the government’s lack of recognition and respect for public
employees.
Conservation officers are the only armed employees in the Ontario Public Service. Currently, there is a wage disparity of 18 to 24 per cent between conservation officers and other comparable staff such as environmental officers and the Ontario Provincial Police.
We thank these members for taking action and showing their support.
MNR pleads guilty to health and safety charges
The Ministry of Natural Resources pleaded guilty to a charge laid by the Ministry of Labour under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of failing to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstance for the protection of a worker. The charges were laid after the drowning death of Dee Dunsford, an MNR
employee whose trail groomer broke through the ice on Clark Lake in Algonquin Park.
In a memo sent to all MNR staff, Deputy Minister John Burke said, “Dee Dunsford’s death was a tragedy for her family, the community of Whitney and MNR. It’s an unfortunate reminder for all of us of the importance of safety in the workplace. As with any accident, there are important lessons to be learned. Since the accident, the ministry
has developed and implemented a new Working on Ice health and safety policy. Strict adherence to the requirements of this policy will prevent this type of tragedy from occurring in the future.”
This tragedy outlines the importance of strong health and safety provisions. It’s incidents like these that make us pause and reflect.
How to contact your team members
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) 264-7580 (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
The Real Deal is your only accurate source of Central Team information during this round of bargaining. If you don’t read it here, you can't be sure it's true. Don’t rely on gossip and rumours. We will provide the facts.
The Real Deal will be available by fax, by e-mail, and on the OPSEU web site at www.opseu.org. To receive it directly, send your secure fax number to Lesley Williams at (416) 443-1762 or send your e-mail address to
lwilliams@opseu.org .
The Real Deal is authorized for distribution by Marg Simmons, chair, Central team, and Leah Casselman, president.
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