OPS Bargaining 2014

TO: All OPS Members

On November 20, your OPS Bargaining Teams will meet at the table with the employer for the first time.

We know this round, like all recent OPS rounds of bargaining, will be a difficult one. We are facing a majority government who seems to care more about cuts than improving public services in this province. Our goal is to show this employer two things:

Privatization doesn't work

When it comes to value for money, there is no government policy of the past 20 years that has a worse record than privatizing public services. For example, IT consultants cost more than twice as much as OPSEU-represented IT employees. We estimate the government could save at least $200 million a year by contracting IN their IT services. In almost every case, privatizing services costs the taxpayers more.

Public sector workers are the best choice

Public employees care about the services we deliver. That's why we do it better. Public services don't have exorbitant profit margins that go to only the richest investors. That's why we do it cheaper. Public service jobs are good union jobs that allow people to live decently, raise a family, contribute to the local economy and retire with dignity. That's why we do it fairer.

Ontario has the best, most cost-efficient, most dedicated and professional public sector workers in the country. You deserve more for the work you do...and need more to get the job done.

To support the bargaining teams, they have asked that all OPS members show their solidarity in the workplace.

How can you do this? Start talking now about November 20. All members should either wear blue and/or wear an OPSEU button/ sticker/ emblem piece of clothing so you are visible in the workplace. Attend a November 20 Kick-Off Event if one is planned in your workplace. Click here for the list of events.

We want to send the employer a clear message that the members are engaged, and stand with their team.

We thank you for your support. Together, we can make every effort to help our teams negotiate a quality collective agreement for all OPS members.

www.opseu.org

www.sefpo.org