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Members chanted as they marched, "Open the ballot boxes. Count those votes now!"
Toronto (14 April 2011) – Hundreds of members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) marched to the College Employer Council to demanding the votes of thousands of college part-timers be counted in the province's largest organizing drive.
The part-time college workers cast ballots over 27 months ago yet these ballots remain uncounted. OPSEU/NUPGE represents more than 15,000 full-time faculty and support staff at community colleges across Ontario.
There was no mistaking the members' anger and frustration with the colleges and the McGuinty government. Members chanted as they marched, "Open the ballot boxes. Count those votes now!"
The employer’s obstructive tactics at the Ontario Labour Relations Board are preventing the ballot boxes from being opened.
The McGuinty government refuses to intervene and order a ballot count despite a decision by the International Labour Organization (ILO) saying the government should open a consultation with the union in order to uphold the democratic right of workers to organize and participate in collective bargaining.
"The colleges and the McGuinty government are out to make this province a cheap labour zone," said OPSEU President Warren "Smokey" Thomas at the rally. "We are here today to say enough is enough! Count those votes now!"
About 100 members entered the office building to take their message directly to the colleges. They held up their signs in the atrium to cheers from the crowd assembled outside. They were escorted out of the building a short time later by police officers.
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
More information:
OPSEU: restore rights for part-time college workers