On Thursday, Dec. 11, wear Blue for solidarity.
On November 20, the Ontario government tabled its opening position in bargaining with 35,000 OPSEU members in the OPS.
The government’s proposals are an attack on the morale, stability, and professionalism of the public service. They’re designed to drive down costs to pave the way to more privatization. And they’re a slap in the face to young workers.
The government wants to:
- impose a two-tier wage structure by introducing a 12-step pay grid with a 5-per-cent lower start rate for new hires;
- increase management favouritism in hiring,
- extend conversion times for fixed-term employees and limit access to permanent jobs;
- hike prescription drug costs by hundreds of dollars per year,
- penalize sick and injured workers by slashing WSIB wages by 15%; and
- force employees on LTIP to pay more – and force them back to work even if they’re not ready to go.
Government has a responsibility to instill pride in the public service. Instead, Premier Kathleen Wynne is joining in the right-wing chorus of public sector bashing.
On Thursday, December 11, support your fellow public employees.
Wear Blue for solidarity!
Related: OPS Bargaining 2014 Index Page