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'I will restore successor rights for Ontario government employees.' - Dalton McGuinty, April 2004
Toronto (26 April 2006) - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) is pushing Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty to honour a promise he made three years ago to restore successor rights to provincial employees.
Successor rights allow unionized employees whose work is sold or transferred to a new employer to move with their work. They keep their jobs, their union, and their collective agreement. The Conservative government of Mike Harris stripped Crown employees of these rights in 1995.
The loss of successor rights has caused a huge amount of stress and economic hardship to OPSEU members since 1995. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs, and the vast majority of those who have been able to retain jobs have had to fight tooth and nail for wages, benefits and pension rights.
In April 2003, while in opposition, McGuinty made a key promise to OPSEU:
"Public employees should have the same rights as employees in the private sector, and, as Premier, I will restore successor rights for Ontario government employees," he said at the time.
Most unionized workers in Ontario enjoy these basic rights. However, they are denied to Crown employees, including all members in the Ontario Public Service, some provincial agencies and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).
"Time’s up, Dalton," OPSEU says in a notice published on its web site. "Restoring successor rights is about fairness. It’s also about protecting the jobs of OPSEU members and the public services we provide. After more than two and a half years in office, it’s time Premier McGuinty lived up to his promise.
Send the Premier a message
You can help send Premier McGuinty a message to restore successor rights now.
Pick up a “same rights” postcard from your OPSEU steward. Sign it and give it back. Ask your co-workers to sign a card, too.
And ask your steward about your local’s campaign and how you can get involved. Together, we can make the difference. NUPGE