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July 22, 2002
Toronto members protest pay hold-up
OPSEU’s “PAY UP NOW” campaign is picking up steam.
About 40 members gathered today in Toronto to call on Management Board Chair David Tsubouchi to hand over the pay increases and retroactive pay he agreed to on May 5.
“The new Premier says he wants a new relationship with labour, and with his employees,” OPSEU President Leah Casselman told the crowd. “Our message to the new Premier is that if you want to have a new relationship, send somebody to the table who wants to make it happen.”
OPSEU’s policy grievance on the matter will be heard at the Grievance Settlement Board on July 31 and Aug. 1.
The government now says the Aug. 1 paycheques will include an extra amount equal to a 3.5 per cent pay increase, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2002. But all other money owing would still not be paid until Oct. 10.
Casselman said the government is completely ignoring the money owed to unclassified workers, people at the top of their pay range, those on Long Term Income Protection, and those who will receive extra “special case” raises.
“In this round, we finally got something for contract people, and we want it now,” said Shelley McCormick, an unclassified court worker with Local 526. “When I signed on for this job 15 years ago, it did not say ‘volunteer.’”
“What they’re doing now is punitive,” said Ron Marciniak, president of OPSEU Local 520.
“I’m thinking that when I get back to work I’ll maybe work three or four per cent less,” he said. “Of course I’ll make it up retroactively when I get paid.”
The rally was jointly organized by OPSEU and the NDP caucus at Queen’s Park.
“For Mr. Tsubouchi to say that you’re not getting your money... is simply wrong,” said NDP MPP Michael Prue (Beaches - East York). “It’s easy to say that this is a priority and to get it done.”
Casselman and a delegation then went to Tsubouchi’s office to deliver a petition. Tsubouchi stayed away.
Casselman urged OPSEU members across the OPS to keep up the pressure through workplace and public events.
“We need to keep up the pressure, through demonstrations and lobbying and whatever it takes, to get our money now and to make sure this kind of jerking around never happens again,” she said. “It’s not acceptable.”
More “PAY UP NOW” buttons (mailed to OPS stewards last week) may be ordered by contacting Mary-Anne Diadamo at OPSEU head office at 1-800-268-7376, extension 664. Ask for stickers, too.
Do you have film or video of the OPS strike?
OPSEU is looking for quality footage of the 2002 OPS strike to create a short documentary video. If you have 8 mm, Hi-8 or digital video footage of picket lines or other bargaining and strike events, please send it to us. Unfortunately, regular VHS footage will not be suitable for
editing purposes. All submissions will be copied and returned. If your footage is used, you will receive a film credit and a free copy of the production
Send film to OPSEU Communications, 100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, M3B 3P8. For more information, e-mail pbilodeau@opseu.org or call 1-800-268-7376 Ext. 780.
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