Issue #8  November 1, 2001

A full week of mediation/arbitration is scheduled for next week to resolve outstanding issues surrounding essential services. The employer has, in some cases, just finished tabling their proposed changes to existing essential services agreements, and we’re looking forward to getting a lot of issues cleaned up. We are hopeful that essential services negotiations will be coming to an end in the next couple of weeks, and then it’s on to issue bargaining. Stay tuned!

We continue to be invited to attend local meetings and we’re going based on our schedule and availability. Member turnout at these meetings has been very impressive, and we have been receiving some excellent OPS mobilization ideas. Members are uniting around the concept of the “inside/outside” strike to make essential services work in our favor. To learn more, watch for training sessions coming soon to your regions.

We ask that all members continue to support the team by wearing buttons and OPSEU lanyards. Make sure that you are solid and consistent in your message to the employer. This support does get fed back to the bargaining centre - to both sides of the table.

Members who are providing information and resources throughout the essential service process people continue to be our lifeline. We extend a big thank you for your attendance here, your patience with all of the phone calls and especially for the reality checks you have given us about your workplaces. Your assistance has been and continues to be vital!

The following OPS Mobilization and Service Area Coordinating Group (SACG) training sessions are scheduled:

A member of the OPS since 1992, Darwin Lacelle is an unclassified correctional officer at the Pembroke Jail. Darwin first became involved in OPSEU Local 447 as a steward, and has been a member of the Local Executive Committee since 1993. In addition, Darwin served two terms on the Provincial Human Rights Committee representing members in Region 4.

Darwin has public service in his veins. Prior to working in the OPS, he served for 25 years with the Canadian Armed Forces in the military police branch.

“My military service, allowed me to develop a keen awareness for fair play,” Darwin said. “I have attempted to portray that in my dealings with people in general.”

So, how does Darwin feel about current negotiations?

“I feel that this round of bargaining, with the looming implications of Bill 25, will put the belief of fairness to the test,” he said. “This government will try to further erode the rights of unclassified workers in order to increase our numbers and eliminate full-time positions.”

Darwin hopes that members will send a very strong message to the employer that they are united behind their negotiating team.

“I am a big believer in the “U” in Union,” Darwin said. “The strength of our upcoming contract lies with the membership and that strength is directly proportional to the support given to the bargaining team. The math is very simple. Strong member support equals a strong contract. Period.”

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@home.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@home.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 is authorized for distribution by Marg Simmons, chair, Central team, and Leah Casselman, president.