On Wednesday, November 30, OPSEU officially filed the PSLRTA. The Employer and the other Unions now have 10 days to respond to our filing. We will keep you updated as the process unfolds. Make sure as stated below that we have all of your personal contact information.
What is the PSLRTA?
The Public Sector Labour Relations Transitions Act (PSLRTA) is legislation created to deal with mergers, amalgamations, and other restructuring in three public service sectors: municipalities and local boards, school boards and hospitals. It was amended to also cover program/service transfers among health care providers.
Often these changes bring together workers in similar bargaining units who belong to one union in one place and another in the second – say OPSEU in Hospital A and another Union (or non-union) in Hospital B. The PSLRTA spells out how bargaining units may be reconfigured and how representation rights may be determined.
The process begins when an affected party (union or employer) files paperwork with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
Until such time that there is a declaration by the OLRB that says otherwise, unionized workers at all three hospitals continue in their existing bargaining unit, with their current collective agreement, and their current bargaining agent (union).
We have already met with your LEC to explain the general framework of the process. Information meetings will be held for OPSEU members so you will be informed as things get underway.
If you have questions about PSLRTA, contact your LEC or one of your PSLRTA Staff team members (see reverse).
The Scarborough Hospital – New Unit
A vote was held on October 18. The ballots were not counted. A hearing will be held on January 30.
The Employer is maintaining that the bargaining unit should include Pharmacists, and Pharmacy Technicians/Assistants. OPSEU maintains that the bargaining unit we have applied for could be appropriate, leaving out those employees.
The Labour Board will hear legal arguments and decide the issue. Once the Board has decided, the ballots can be counted. If the union wins the vote, the Board will issue a “Certificate” and then the Bargaining Unit we applied for will be officially unionized. This is not unusual. It is a part of the process and we expected this to occur.
In the meantime, the employees captured by the certification application that OPSEU filed have their terms and conditions “frozen” – which means the employer cannot change their working conditions.
OPSEU Fights Back!
OPSEU was one of the groups who submitted a position related to the Integration, and that can be found here.
OPSEU has been outspoken about the cost of the merger and the potential impact on services and the community. As a result of the public campaign, there has now been a decision to fund some of costs of the merger. It’s not enough though. We do not think that good health care (and good jobs) should be at risk to pay for the restructuring.
Is Dec 1st Still the Date?
On Wednesday November 23, 2016 the Ministry formally approved the merger, effective December 1st. Please remember though – “Until something changes, nothing changes”
Being Engaged Could Make You a Winner!
In our last issue we asked you to make sure that your Local has non-work contact info for you (home phone, cell, personal email etc.).
Watch for meeting notices, event invites, surveys, and future bulletins from your PSLRTA team.
Make yourself part of the process! Send us any questions or suggestions you may have. These will be answered in the next issue. Everyone who sends in a question will be eligible to have their name put in for a prize.
Contact us!
Your PSLRTA Staff team
Leave a message for us at 1-844-OPSEU-4-U (1-844-677-3438) or send us an email:
Tracey Mussett: [email protected] Pauline Cheslock: [email protected] Leslie Sanders: [email protected]
Issue 2 December 2016
PSLRTA Filed November 30th!
On Wednesday, November 30, OPSEU officially filed the PSLRTA. The Employer and the other Unions now have 10 days to respond to our filing. We will keep you updated as the process unfolds. Make sure as stated below that we have all of your personal contact information.
What is the PSLRTA?
The Public Sector Labour Relations Transitions Act (PSLRTA) is legislation created to deal with mergers, amalgamations, and other restructuring in three public service sectors: municipalities and local boards, school boards and hospitals. It was amended to also cover program/service transfers among health care providers.
Often these changes bring together workers in similar bargaining units who belong to one union in one place and another in the second – say OPSEU in Hospital A and another Union (or non-union) in Hospital B. The PSLRTA spells out how bargaining units may be reconfigured and how representation rights may be determined.
The process begins when an affected party (union or employer) files paperwork with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
Until such time that there is a declaration by the OLRB that says otherwise, unionized workers at all three hospitals continue in their existing bargaining unit, with their current collective agreement, and their current bargaining agent (union).
We have already met with your LEC to explain the general framework of the process. Information meetings will be held for OPSEU members so you will be informed as things get underway.
If you have questions about PSLRTA, contact your LEC or one of your PSLRTA Staff team members (see reverse).
The Scarborough Hospital – New Unit
A vote was held on October 18. The ballots were not counted. A hearing will be held on January 30.
The Employer is maintaining that the bargaining unit should include Pharmacists, and Pharmacy Technicians/Assistants. OPSEU maintains that the bargaining unit we have applied for could be appropriate, leaving out those employees.
The Labour Board will hear legal arguments and decide the issue. Once the Board has decided, the ballots can be counted. If the union wins the vote, the Board will issue a “Certificate” and then the Bargaining Unit we applied for will be officially unionized. This is not unusual. It is a part of the process and we expected this to occur.
In the meantime, the employees captured by the certification application that OPSEU filed have their terms and conditions “frozen” – which means the employer cannot change their working conditions.
OPSEU Fights Back!
OPSEU was one of the groups who submitted a position related to the Integration, and that can be found here.
OPSEU has been outspoken about the cost of the merger and the potential impact on services and the community. As a result of the public campaign, there has now been a decision to fund some of costs of the merger. It’s not enough though. We do not think that good health care (and good jobs) should be at risk to pay for the restructuring.
Is Dec 1st Still the Date?
On Wednesday November 23, 2016 the Ministry formally approved the merger, effective December 1st. Please remember though – “Until something changes, nothing changes”
Being Engaged Could Make You a Winner!
In our last issue we asked you to make sure that your Local has non-work contact info for you (home phone, cell, personal email etc.).
Watch for meeting notices, event invites, surveys, and future bulletins from your PSLRTA team.
Make yourself part of the process! Send us any questions or suggestions you may have. These will be answered in the next issue. Everyone who sends in a question will be eligible to have their name put in for a prize.
Contact us!
Your PSLRTA Staff team
Leave a message for us at 1-844-OPSEU-4-U (1-844-677-3438) or send us an email:
Tracey Mussett: [email protected] Pauline Cheslock: [email protected] Leslie Sanders: [email protected]