On Thursday April 29 2011 the employer rolled out their plan to change hours of operation for Service Ontario front counters. Based on the information we are getting from the field the employer suggested the MERC Team signed off on this initiative. Your team has not signed anything and we are still discussing details of implementation. The scheduling agreements will be finalized at each individual work place.
At the start of March 2011 the employer advised the MGS MERC Team that it was going to invoke “Consumer Friendly” hours (i.e. late Thursday evenings and ½ day Saturdays). Your MERC Teams position was “there is nothing that benefits our members and their families in this initiative.” Unfortunately the employer under management rights can impose changes in hours of operation.
With this in mind your team decided to attempt to negotiate a more palatable arrangement for our members. Discussions are on going to find creative solutions to reduce the disruption and adverse impact on our members’ personal lives.
Your team has advised the employer that local representatives will be participating throughout this negotiation process. We have a wide variety of different work places which necessitates various creative solutions to help meet our members’ needs. We need extensive participation of local representatives to help achieve the desired goals.
We would like to thank the Locals that have put forward Service Ontario contact names.
Please continue to do so to ensure a flow of communications between your MERC Team and the Service Ontario workplaces.
In Solidarity
MGS MERC Service Ontario Subcommittee
Sylvie Valcourt
W: (905) 704-3972
Local 211
email: [email protected]
Sandra Snider
W: (807) 343-7462
Local 736
email: [email protected]
James Kendall
W: (519) 675-6891
Local 101
email: [email protected]
James Cushing
W: (416) 212-4782
Local 555
email: [email protected]
Lynda Ferguson
W: (705) 564-4300 x212
Local 629
email: [email protected]
Debbie Ponte
W: (416) 326 – 0152
Local 502
Home email: DebbiePonte@gm