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OPSEU/NUPGE is determined to continue its fight for the right of part-time workers in the 24 Ontario colleges to be represented by our union.
Toronto (20 June 2013) – The quest by part-time workers at Ontario colleges to unionize has been consistently stonewalled by the employer and the process at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. So why did the Canadian and Ontario governments suggest to the International Labour Organization (ILO) that all is OK?
NUPGE exposes Canadian government misrepresentation at ILO
In a letter to the ILO Director-General, James Clancy, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) stated clearly that the Canadian government, armed with information from the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB), has misrepresented the case of part-time workers which is still before the OLRB.
First, the statement in the Canadian government’s report that “the OLRB reported that the parties had agreed to a process and timeline for moving the matter forward” is completely incorrect. The OPSEU/NUPGE request to recognize the right of part-timers to union representation has been consistently stonewalled by the process at the Ontario Labour Relations Board and, as well, there has been no political solution offered by the Ontario government.
Second, the Canadian government’s statement that “The Government of Ontario emphasizes the importance of the adjudicative role played by the OLRB in the process of certification established by law and considers that it would be inappropriate to interfere with or influence the procedure. It adds that this position is shared by the National Union of Public and General Employees.”
Union welcomes voluntary recognition in light of evidence of support
On the contrary, OPSEU and NUPGE have made it clear in the bargaining process and in presentations to the Ontario government, that political influence on the employer to grant voluntary recognition would be our preference.
OPSEU/NUPGE is determined to continue its fight for the right of part-time workers in the 24 Ontario colleges to be represented by our union.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE