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Students working at Ontario Place told the public that Premier Dalton McGuinty has broken yet another promise

August 14, 2009

Students working at Ontario Place told the public that Premier Dalton McGuinty has broken yet another promise. On August 14 the students, who are members of OPSEU Local 523, banded together to inform the public that they would not be receiving the 8.16 per cent of gross pay added to their hourly wage rate in lieu of vacation and holiday pay. Students will lose approximately $450 this summer, the equivalent to the cost of textbooks or money towards rising tuition fees.

Students are dismayed that the contracts they signed are not being adhered to. Joe Ferreira, president of local 523, strongly supports the students in their quest for fairness. Grievances regarding this issue have been put forward and results are pending.

The public entering Ontario Place was very sympathetic to the student’s concern. Students counting on the extra money to help cover their education costs are in a major bind. Many report that they do not know whether they will receive OSAP this fall, putting them in an even more stressful situation. It is truly shameful that the Ontario government has put students in this position, considering that they are the future of Ontario.

Student workers at other tourist attractions and provincial parks are expected to stage information pickets in the weeks ahead.

Fairness for Ontario government summer students Index