OPSEU calls for 'final' offer vote in Ontario contract talks

'If Dalton McGuinty wants labour peace in this province, there had better be a dramatic shift in his position.' - OPSEU president Leah Casselman

Toronto - Bargaining representatives for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) called for a final offer vote on contract negotiations for 45,000 employees of the Ontario government.

At a media conference at Queen's Park, OPSEU president Leah Casselman said there has been no real movement at the bargaining table for a number of weeks, a situation she called unacceptable.

"Every proposal we have put forward to the government has been rejected," said Casselman. "The only word they are familiar with is 'No.' We thought we were bargaining with the McGuinty Liberals, not the Harris Tories."

Under Ontario Public Service bargaining procedures, rejection of the government's "final" offer also gives the bargaining teams a strike mandate. Casselman refused to speculate on whether there would be a strike.

"Our teams are not at the table to bargain a strike," Casselman said. "However, if (Premier) Dalton McGuinty wants labour peace in this province, there had better be a dramatic shift in his position at the bargaining table."

Casselman said the complete lack of cooperation shown by the government during talks is forcing the bargaining teams to call for the final offer vote.

"It is clear this is the only way we can get any kind of legitimate offer from the McGuinty Liberals," Casselman said. "Once we have that offer, our teams will review it and the members will vote on it later this month." NUPGE

Web posted by NUPGE: 11 May 2005

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