OCEU left waiting at the table while the employer draws out lockout

TORONTO, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– After a long night of preparing proposals, the bargaining team for OCEU 1750 was disappointed this morning to find that the WSIB management team was once again refusing to make time to engage in collective bargaining. The union representing caseworkers, nurses, back to work specialists, and claims managers at the WSIB have been locked out of their work systems since last Wednesday.

In response to the Union’s call to return to the table on Saturday, the Union received a letter yesterday evening from the employer stating that they were preparing to come to the table with a narrowed list of proposals, but not until Thursday.

“WSIB claims to care about the wellness of their employees and the injured workers we serve but their actions show us the opposite,” said Harry Goslin, OCEU/CUPE 1750’s president. “If the WSB truly cares, they would make getting back to the bargaining table a priority without delay.”

The Union’s bargaining team sent their counterproposals Tuesday evening, then showed up at the bargaining table only to learn that the WSIB was not available Wednesday – as planned by the mediator. With this news, the bargaining team headed down to join the nearby picket line outside 200 Front Street in Toronto. “We’re still ready to come back to the table whenever the employer is ready to give bargaining the serious attention it deserves,” said Dave Peddle, Treasurer for OCEU/CUPE 1750. “The best thing we can do to support our members is get a deal.”

The Union is hoping the mediator Brian O’Byrne will get all parties back to the table by Thursday. “Our members remain united, despite the attempts by the employer to divide and intimidate us,” said Nicole Francis, Chief Steward for the union. “We’re hoping the employer will take bargaining seriously this time and come prepared to work with us to find a fair deal for our members.”

In a recent press release from WSIB earlier today they once again gave false information claiming there are no concessions. The truth is the WSIB has significant cuts to the existing agreement on the table. Saying otherwise is just not true.

Talks are scheduled to take place at the Sheraton Conference Center in Toronto on Thursday morning. The Union remains hopeful that the WSIB will show up.

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For more information, please contact:

Bill Chalupiak, CUPE Communications Representative
wchalupiak@cupe.ca
416-707-1401