OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, Regional Vice-President David Lundy and Executive Board Member Chris Cormier as well as many OPSEU members were among more than 3000 demonstrators outside the Liberal Annual General Membership meeting in Ottawa on September 28. OPSEU members came from Ottawa, Trenton, Belleville, Perth, Arnprior, Renfrew, Brockville, Cornwall, Picton and Kingston to support the call to end the Ontario Liberals’ attack on our public services, especially the unconstitutional Bill 115 which undermines the quality of Ontario’s education system.
“Together we are showing this government that they cannot attack public services without undermining public confidence in their ability to govern.“
“It is especially important that young people and students have joined in this fight,” said Thomas, addressing the thousands gathered in protest. “Together we are showing this government that they cannot attack public services without undermining public confidence in their ability to govern.“
OPSEU members proudly hung banners from the bridge overlooking Colonel By Drive with the message “repeal Bill 115 and Resist against the Protecting Public Services Act”. Both of these Acts put forward by the McGuinty government would eliminate rights upheld under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and fundamentally change the course of history for unions in this province.
The Ottawa rally sent a strong message to the Ontario Liberal government that their attack on education workers, students and public services will affect the outcome of the next provincial elections.
Organized by the Ottawa District Labour Council, the event included members of many different unions and community groups.
