OPSEU gives Ontario an earful on wage restraint

'It is simply wrong for hard-working people to be bank-rolling already profitable corporations.'

Toronto (18 Aug. 2010) - Consultations regarding wage restraint are now underway in Ontario between public sector unions and employers in the government.

Leaders of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) leaders were among the first to meet with government representatives on Aug. 9.

In the process, government representatives repeatedly received an earful from OPSEU about underfunded vulnerable services and they were also questioned about the province's failure to suspend billion-dollar corporate tax cuts.

Following the initial consultation, a special meeting with more than 75 OPSEU sector representatives and executive board members was convened on Aug. 10 for a full day of union meetings.

The key recommendation put forward by participants was the need for all local presidents to be brought into this critical debate. This feedback was approved as a motion by executive board members and an all-presidents meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 13.

"All indicators are that massive corporate tax breaks will be fully paid for by this government’s plan for public sector wage cuts,” says OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It is simply wrong for hard-working people to be bank-rolling already profitable corporations.”

OPSEU’s campaign against the destructive economic policies of the McGuinty government continues. OPSEU is continuing to urge members to join their colleagues at various protest rallies being staged at Liberal Party fundraisers across the province.

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