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The Ontario Public Service Employees Union filed a legal
challenge to Bill 115 on Thursday, October 11, 2012. OSSTF, ETFO and CUPE have
filed similar challenges in an effort to protect the Charter right to bargain.
“Collective bargaining is essential to democracy,” said OPSEU
President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “By legislating education worker contracts
across Ontario, McGuinty Liberals have denied workers their rights under the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is in turn a threat to all
collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors.“
“Furthermore, Bill 115 allows the government the power to
interfere with the right to strike. This is unacceptable,” said Thomas.
“The Ontario Liberals’ legislation is unconstitutional,” said
Thomas. “Collective bargaining rights are essential to democracy: They are
protected under the Charter for a reason.”
“We were correct in warning that Bill 115 was just the
beginning,” said Thomas. “The proposed Protecting Public Services Act is more of
the same. It would allow the government to determine the
outcome of contract negotiations before they’ve even begun.”
“We’ve filed a legal challenge to Bill 115, and will do what it
takes to ensure it is repealed. The Ontario Liberals cannot be allowed to get
away with this flagrant disregard for democracy. We are taking a stand for all
education workers, for all working people in this province, for our students,
and all those who depend on public services,” said Thomas. “This is a fight
worth fighting.”
Legislation affecting Ontario’s education workers is compounded
by cuts to the Ontario Public Service, attempts to take control of pension
plans, and chronic underfunding of social services including healthcare,
education and social services.
OPSEU represents more than 130,000 workers, including 2000
members at Ontario’s Boards of Education.
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More information:
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President: 613-329-1931
Emily Visser, OPSEU Communications: 416-557-7936
Boards of Education Bill
115 Index Page
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