Issue #2 Sept. 20, 2001

The talks begin

This week, your Central Team met with the employer for the first time. Initial positions were exchanged with respect to the conditions and framework of the Essential Services agreement. It is now up to the team to gather information from locals in order to update individual site agreements that will only come into effect in the event of a strike.

Marg Simmons, chair of the Central Team, says that the team’s goal is to get this part of bargaining resolved quickly so that they can get to the issues.

“Although we will be diligent in bargaining essential services,” Simmons said, “we are anxious to get to the real reason we’re here - negotiating a top-notch contract for our members.”

The Central Team has a monumental task ahead of them. They must contact every local in the province to see if there have been any changes that will impact essential service agreements. Working groups on the team have been established to cover each of the four categories: Office Administrative, Administrative, Technical/Operational and Maintenance and Institutional and Health Care. Presidents and/or contact members at each local should expect to get a phone call from team members in the days ahead. Try to make yourself available.

“What we’re looking for are significant and substantial changes that have occurred since the last round of bargaining in 1998/1999,” Simmons said. “The availability of the local contacts and the quality of the information they provide will greatly accelerate the essential service talks. Accurate and timely information will enable us to meet the employer head on.”

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

Saturday, Sept. 22:

Region 2: OPS Mobilization Training Holiday Inn, Burlington
Region 3: SACG Training OPSEU Regional Office, Orillia
Region 7: OPS Mobilization Training Best Western, Dryden

Sunday, Sept. 23

Region 1: OPS Mobilization Training Holiday Inn, Sarnia

More sessions are scheduled. Watch here for updates.

The North Bay waterfront will come alive on Sat., Sept. 29. On this day, OPSEU will hold a Public Service Fair starting at 11 a.m. at the Kiwanis Bandshell. This event is a showcase of the work performed by the Ontario Public Service, and features live music, free lunch and activities for the kids.

Speakers at the event include OPSEU president Leah Casselman, Bruce Davidson from Concerned Walkerton Citizens, Sharon Dion from Citizens Against Private Prisons and Ontario Federation of Labour president Wayne Samuelson. Central team chair Marg Simmons will also be on hand to discuss the impact of bargaining on the future of Ontario’s public services.

The event will conclude with a march to MPP Mike Harris’ constituency office. Those attending are to bring a donation for presentation to the local food bank.

Come out and enjoy yourself!

How to contact your team members

Administrative Category Michel Chaumont, L. 623 (416) 815-0284 chaumont@attcanada.net

Corrections Category Mark Kotanen, L. 128 (Vice-chair) (416) 815-0284 (519) 336-6926

Inst. and Health Care Category James Roland, L. 720 (416) 815-0284 (807) 345-4609 jimrol@hotmail.com

Office Admin. Category Sandra Noad, L. 101 (416) 815-0284 (519) 657-9518 sanoad@home.com

Tech./Oper. and Maintenance Category Peter Wall, L. 638 (416) 815-0284

Unclassified Workers Darwin Lacelle, L. 447 (416) 815-0284 dmlacell@nrtco.net

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.

Download September 20, 2001 Issue of The Real Deal .

Previous Issues

Sept 14, 2001