Updates

Good day, brothers and sisters.

A number of things are happening and I urge you to visit here and the OPSEU website to keep up to speed. In case you have missed things, here goes:

• Bargaining is under way, and we have asked acting managers to step down in solidarity. Some have, some have said they will and when, and some are stubborn. I guess they have forgotten what gets the best contract for them.
• Dan and I stood for re-election to our Provincial committees, and we have both been re-elected. Dan is still on the MERC team and I have been elected Vice-chair on the Provincial Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, known as PJOHSC.
• Ingrid Ricketts(VCFW) is doing a fantastic job as a Region 2 mobilizer. Let's be proud!
• I have informed both administrations that we have effectively ceased the Local ERC process in support of our bargaining teams, and we will continue to fulfill our health and safety obligations to the members.
• Meetings are being organized to begin the mobilization process for a possible labour disruption and they will be posted here and on the union boards.
• Members of the Local Executive are now undergoing joint training with the employer for the Systemic Anti-Racism Organizational Change local committees.

As you can imagine, this will be a stressful and trying time for us all. I work beside you and I am hearing your concerns about what you see and hear.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR!!

This is a very important time for us to put aside the issues that some would use to divide us as a local and come together as a local.

If an acting manager wants to derail your contract then let them know how you see things.

If a full time manager wants to know what the union is doing, let them know that we are preparing to do what we have done in the past.

MOBILIZE!! MOBILIZE!! MOBILIZE!!

In solidarity, Emidio.

Remembrance day update

Good day, brothers and sisters.

On this day I remember that soldiers have died, and continue to die for Canadian society to have freedoms. Freedoms that extend to the right of labour unions to conduct business.

Our local has had brothers and sisters go off to warzones as well.
We wish them safe journeys back!

My family moved here to make a better life for the next generation and we respect the sacrifice Canadians made for all its' citizens. My family members have been Canadian soldiers, cadets and public servants. I was born in Canada and I have lived in the east and west of this great nation. I have seen it from far and wide, and know what makes us the true north strong and free.

I have been an OPSEU member since 1992, and a part of two strikes with many of you.
We braved cold picket lines, hot burn barrels and frozen food to eat.
Members were charged by police, hit by vehicles and sued.

We felt the ravages of the TORY cuts and the meager increases while costs went up and managers made huge sums when they locked us out.

HERE WE GO AGAIN, FIGHTING FOR RESPECT!

OPSEU's President says the offer is a slap in the face, I AGREE!

The employer told us that we are "valued."
This offer makes it seem like we are "undervalued!"

The bargaining team has asked members seconded to management to step into their bargaining unit positions tomorrow.

Simple messages support the bargaining teams!

STEPPING DOWN IS STEPPING UP!!

Show those members who do your respect.

In solidarity, Emidio.

Stepping down IS stepping up!!

Good day to my brothers and sisters, locally and in the division!!

I wish to speak to the members being asked to step down to support the membership.

You realize you are still a UNION MEMBER.
Your contract is fought and won by ALL OF US!!
You need to MAKE A STAND WITH US!
That is why I am adamant that STEPPING DOWN IS STEPPING UP!

It is a true test of COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP to do this, putting the needs of the many to the forefront in the belief that the best contract is out there.

You can't expect to make gains on our backs.

Many of us are VOLUNTARILY giving our time by devoting long hours to achieve labour relations gains and better workplaces for us all. YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS ALONE!!

Let us get this bargaining cycle done quickly and decisively by LEADING!

If you don't, you are leaving wage increases and benefits on the table. These gains will go to everyone who is in this organization and to their families including non-union staff who wish they had the right and ability to bargain collectively for better conditions.

SOLIDARITY BENEFITS US ALL!!

JOIN THE FIGHT, YOU ARE NEEDED AND WELCOME!!

In solidarity, Emidio.

Bargaining has begun!!

Good day, brothers and sisters!

This is a very tense and exciting time for our union members!

The process of collective bargaining for the next contract is under way.

We are collectively looking to our bargaining teams to bring us a document that is our financial base for years to come. Please click on the OPSEU link to the right for updates.

We are also looking to the employer to do what is right for our members after the sacrifices we have made for all these years to keep the Ontario Public Service cost effective.

We want FULL-TIME jobs in our communities and the ability to ensure that our pensions will be there when we need them.

We want our families to know we can provide for them as the costs of living increase and with our benefits intact.

It is with this in mind that Local Presidents in our Corrections division call to the membership that are in acting positions to step down into their bargaining unit positions effective November 12, 2008.

In the simplest terms, NO MORE ACTING, in support of the bargaining teams.

It is time for the employer to come to the table with a positive contract offer.

WE ARE WAITING!!

In solidarity, Emidio.