Bill 124 ruled unconstitutional by court
We want to provide our members with an update about the recent Bill 124 court decision and what it means for the status of our current contract negotiations.
Passed by the Ford government in 2019, Bill 124 capped public sector compensation for hundreds of thousands of workers at one percent, without regard for inflation or workers’ Charter-protected right to collective bargaining.
Labour unions joined together to launch a court challenge against the bill. On Tuesday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice released its decision, saying that the bill infringed on the rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association.
The ruling declared the wage-restricting law “void and of no effect.”
We were scheduled to have a full day of bargaining at the table Tuesday, but, following the ruling, the employer wanted to seek further instructions.
Both parties have agreed to adjourn contract talks and resume negotiations on December 15 and 16.
Your bargaining team will continue to negotiate a collective agreement taking into account your priorities as set out at the final demand set meeting.
It is our position that, following the ruling by the court on Bill 124, any proposals we tabled that were rejected by the employer due to the bill should now be back on the table.
The employer has acknowledged our position and has indicated that they have to go back to their Board for further direction.
Upon concluding our contract talks in December, we will provide you with another bargaining update.
You can find the press release from OPSEU/SEFPO here, which includes a link to the full decision.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team