As another year draws to a close, and with the holiday season now upon
us, it is customary to look back at the year that was and the challenges
we face as the calendar is about to turn another page.
Twelve months ago we had just reached a contract settlement with the
government on behalf of our 45,000 members in the OPS. We knew that
negotiations would be tough – and they were. But when the ink on the
deal finally dried our members recognized that we had made gains in
wages, job security and benefits in the face of recession that is taking
an enormous toll on other working people.
A
similar scenario unfolded with our 6,000 liquor board employees in their
negotiations with the LCBO. Here the story was the disgraceful treatment
of casual employees, who now make up more than 60 per cent of in-store
staff. While there’s plenty of room for improvements in future rounds of
bargaining, we were finally able to negotiate benefits, wage increases
and vacation entitlements to a classification of workers who, for too
long, have been abused by the LCBO.
Our Health Professionals came out of arbitration with a decent wage
improvement that nearly matched that which Ontario nurses achieved in
2008. While we are making progress in this struggle to achieve parity,
our campaign is not over and we will continue to pressure the government
to recognize that Health Professionals represent the indispensible
backbone of our health care system.
Less satisfying are the on-going negotiations facing our 9,000 community
college faculty. On Nov. 12 the Council representing college management
imposed terms and conditions of employment, a frightful development that
skirts the collective bargaining process. OPSEU has pledged its full and
unequivocal support to faculty and we look forward to the outcome of a
strike vote in January.
The year was also marked by the OPSEU census – a first-of-its-kind
exercise by organized labour in North America. The results of the census
will give us a clear picture of our diverse membership and we will use
the results to help shape future contract demands on behalf of all our
sectors.
Looking ahead to 2010, economic uncertainty and its impact on public
services will weigh heavily on OPSEU. Facing a budget deficit of $25
billion you can be certain the McGuinty government will be looking to
cut, trim and slash wherever it thinks it can get away with it. You can
be equally certain that we will refuse to capitulate to this assault on
our members and the public services we deliver.
The strategy and message we adopted in 2009 will apply even more
strongly in 2010. Tough times call for an increase in public services as
a measure to protect working families and communities. Good jobs will
always matter today, tomorrow and in the future.
If OPSEU is to maintain its position as a strong, member-first union
it’s vital that our operations remain leading-edge. In an expenditure
approved by the executive board I am delighted to report that in 2010 we
will be introducing a major overhaul of our telephone system under one
provider. Called ‘Ring It!’ our new service will deliver faster
communications that incorporate the latest internet and telephone
technologies. The result will be user-friendly services for members and
staff alike, regardless of where they live and work in the province.
Much was achieved in the past year and much work lies ahead in the next
one. But for now the priority is your well-deserved opportunity to enjoy
some rest and relaxation with family and friends during this special
time of the year.
To our members and staff I wish all of you the best of this Season and
my sincere tidings for a healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
In Solidarity
Patty Rout
First Vice-President / Treasurer
