President's Message

A fair OPS contract good for Ontario

November 18, 2008

With all the recent problems in the economy, most people acknowledge this may not be the best time to bargain a contract. But what if spending money right now actually helped the economy, instead of hurting it? That's exactly what an investment in the Ontario Public Service would do.

Manufacturing is down, commodity prices are down, and the financial sector is facing uncertainty. The public sector is still a strong source of economic strength in this province. And that is the key to this round of negotiations for our largest group, the more than 45,000 direct government employees.

We've told Dalton McGuinty: Cutting or delaying spending in the public sector right now will make the economic picture worse in Ontario, not better.

Public sector workers don't just provide valuable services to our communities. We also live, work and spend our money in our communities. That's the message we must send: Good OPS jobs are vital to this economy. But government cuts will hurt both the economy and the services our members provide.

We agreed with the government negotiators that we would bargain differently this time. The focus would be getting a fair contract -- not preparing for a strike. Yet the government's opening position at the bargaining table didn't even come close to that.

As OPS bargaining continues, we know we have time to reach an agreement with the government -- but only if they are prepared to bargain a fair contract for the people who provide vital public services to this province, one that will benefit all Ontarians.

We will only accept a fair offer... nothing less.

In solidarity,

Warren (Smokey) Thomas

President