Issue #11  November 22, 2001

This week we continue to move along on essential service agreements. The employer continues to table changes from the agreements reached in 1999 that, in our opinion, do not have merit. Issues bargaining is on the horizon, and we hope to get there as soon as possible.

Here are the top 15 central bargaining priorities as decided by the membership:

Job security
Pension
Insured benefits
Cost of living allowance (COLA)
Unclassified member issues
Family issues
Seniority
Posting and filling of vacancies/new positions
Grievance issues
Training and development
Sick leave
Vacation/holidays
Travel
Union activities
Health and safety

OPSEU’s new “inside/outside” educational will help members apply the maximum pressure on the employer in the event of a strike or lockout. The course will be piloted on the following dates:

Dec. 1, 2 - Region 5

Dec. 8, 9 - Region 4 and Region 7

The educational will cover picket line tactics, but the main thrust is empowering members who are forced to provide essential services. Training dates for other regions will be announced shortly.

Members continue to inspire the bargaining team with their interest in this form of mobilization. Keep up the enthusiasm!

Congratulations to those members chosen to assist with mobilization in their respective regions. Working closely with their OPSEU Executive Board members, staff representatives and the service area coordination groups (SACGs), these members will provide locals with any help needed to mobilize members to get a great contract.

Please contact your local OPSEU regional office for the list of these members in your region.

Rumours continue to arise and circulate in many workplaces. Please remember that if the information is not in this communication, it may not true.

If you have questions, contact us and we will respond with the real facts.

Teri Breau-Auzins, Central Team Member

Teri Breau-Auzins, a transportation enforcement officer/auditor in Region 5, has been a strong union activist for many years. Teri started her career in 1976 with Local 506, and has held the positions of steward, secretary, first vice-president coordinating grievances and finally president, a position she has held for the last six years.

Teri took a short leave to work in New Brunswick as a commercial vehicle enforcement officer. While in New Brunswick, Teri became part of a bargaining team that represented workers there. Now, Teri is an invaluable and outspoken member of the Central Team.

Teri is very proud of the vote of confidence she has been given by the members of Region 5 to represent them on the bargaining team.

“I am very concerned about privatization in Region 5,” Teri said. “I will fight tooth and nail to prevent more of this from happening.”

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