It may be hard to believe, but it's only been five years since many OPSEU members won the right to participate fully in the political process. Before 1993, people working for the Ontario Public Service were muzzled and handcuffed come election time.

Government workers couldn't tell it like it is. The law even forbade their union, OPSEU, from backing any political party.

That didn't stop OPSEU from mounting effective campaigns at election time. We worked to make sure the public knew the real issues facing government. OPSEU members played pivotal roles in the outcomes of elections in 1985 and 1990.

Since the NDP government changed the law in 1993, OPSEU and most of our members enjoy full political rights.

With a provincial election on the horizon, we're asking all OPSEU members to use those hard-won rights to the fullest.

There's a lot riding on this election.

You know how Mike Harris has waged war on public service workers since he took office ­ you've been on the front lines of the cutbacks and increased workloads. And we won't forget that on March 18, 1996, Harris unleashed his troops to bash our heads at an otherwise peaceful protest at Queen's Park.

His Tories financed their tax breaks to the wealthy by cutting public services. By closing schools and hospitals, the Tories are creating a two-tier system of education and health care, where you get only what you can pay for.

They've slashed social services to the bone and cut thousands off social assistance and disability pensions. In little more than three years of Tory rule, Toronto has more homeless people than New York City!

Another Mike Harris Tory majority government could mean the death of public services in Ontario.

We can't afford to sit on the sidelines.

Another Tory majority could be fatal.

OPSEU Political Action Committees have been set up in all parts of the province. They are mapping local strategy, meeting with our allies in the labour movement and in the community, and putting heat on the candidates. This election, OPSEU members will be on the streets, knocking on doors, urging people to vote against Harris.

 



Leah Casselman, President

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