Dear OPSEU/SEFPO Hospital Professionals Division members,
As you may know, Bill 124 was deemed unconstitutional and “void and of no effect” by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on November 29, 2022. This was a massive victory for all workers whose wages have been unjustly capped by this Bill. The government filed for an appeal on the decision on December 29, 2022; however, as of the time of writing, they have not sought for a stay on the decision, which means that the decision announced on November 29, stands.
With this development, your HPD central bargaining team moved quickly to activate the reopener clause included in Arbitrator William Kaplan’s interest arbitration award for the most recent round of central negotiations. The reopener clause permits us to return to Arbitrator Kaplan to submit revised monetary proposals in the event that Bill 124 is repealed or deemed unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction.
We have agreed to hearing dates with Arbitrator Kaplan on February 18-19, 2023. We will be in touch with further updates following this hearing.
In solidarity,
Your HPD bargaining team:
Sandi Blancher, Bargaining Chair
L106 – London Health Sciences Centre
Betty Palmieri, Bargaining Vice-Chair
L206 – St. Joseph’s Health Care Hamilton
Brenda Allan
L215 – Niagara Health System
Beverly Weaver
L4106 – Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Kelly Richmond
L480 – Quinte Healthcare Corporation
Adrian Balojin
L206 – St. Joseph’s Health Care Hamilton
Steve McCaw
L106 – London Health Sciences Centre