Your OPSEU bargaining team returns to the bargaining table on March 15 and March 16.
Support your team
Now is the time to show your support. Help us send a message to the employer that it’s time to build morale. All we ask is that we are recognized – and compensated – for the work we do.
On March 15 & 16 please wear your “It’s Time to Build Morale” button, dress in black and show up to your office on both days to show solidarity. Show the employer that we are united in our efforts and that you stand behind your bargaining team.
Be ready
We are bargaining to get a contract, not a strike. But if strike action is the only path to a deal, we need to be ready in case it becomes necessary. For OPSEU locals, now is the time to sign up non-members, get all members’ secure email addresses, and develop your phone and email trees.
Form B
Now is the time to complete OPSEU’s Members Personal Information Form – better known as “Form B.” Form B is to be filled out by each member in order to perform picket duty, collect strike pay and be covered by benefits.
The Contact Information and dependant Information portions of this form must be provided to your Local Executive Committee (LEC) for signature. The Direct Deposit Agreement section is to be completed and submitted to OPSEU. To do this, you can:
- scan and e-mail it to claims@opseu.org; OR
- give it to your Steward to mail in to OPSEU’s head office; OR
- drop it off at your OPSEU regional office.
Know your strike policy
Section 5.6 of the OPSEU strike policy is about strike benefits. Here’s what it says:
5.6 Strike Benefits
5.6.1 Prior to a strike OPSEU will, through its staff negotiator, initiate negotiations with the employer to have the employer pay their usual share of the premiums (with OPSEU paying the members usual share) for continuance of insured benefits coverage and to have the employer arrange with the insurance carrier(s) to continue coverage as per the collective agreement for all bargaining unit members on strike or lock-out.
5.6.2 If the employer agrees to continue coverage under their insurance policy (or policies) but refuses to pay their usual share of the premiums, then OPSEU will pay the required premiums for members on strike/lockout.
5.6.3 If the employer does not agree to continue coverage under their insurance policy (or policies) as set out above, OPSEU will provide a limited benefit package through the OJTBF.
5.6.3 (1) The insured benefits through the OPSEU Joint Trusteed Benefit Fund for OPSEU embers who are in receipt of strike pay shall include $100,000 Life Insurance and Extended Health Coverage.
5.6.3 (2) OPSEU will also supply insured benefit coverage as outlined in 5.6.3.1 above for any member who is off on a pre-existing disability claim who has had his or her coverage terminated as a result of a strike/lockout in his or her workplace.
As always, we will keep you posted as the talks proceed. We would like to thank you for your continued support through-out this process.
In solidarity,
David Lynch
Chair, Bargaining Team
OPSEU409@yahoo.ca
Bargaining Team Contact Information
We have included the bargaining team members e-mail addresses and assigned a member to each office. Please see below for your office's bargaining team contact.
Peter McClenaghan – Goderich, Chatham, Sarnia, Windsor and Kitchener
pmcclenaghan2020@yahoo.com
Paul Leslie – Pickering, Richmond Hill, Peterborough and Milner
mrpaulleslie@yahoo.ca
Tom Chisholm – North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden and Pembroke
tandcind@msn.com
Mark Hotte – Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, Trenton, and Ottawa
mark_hotte@hotmail.com
David Lynch – Bracebridge, Owen Sound, Barrie, London, Hamilton, Mississauga and Toronto
opseu409@yahoo.ca
Download a pdf of this newsletter here.