E-News - October 2012

Society - OPG bargaining breaks down

Excerpts of message from OPG LVP Joe Fierro sent to OPG members October 15.

After two weeks, negotiations for a new Collective Agreement between OPG and The Society broke down on Friday, October 12, 2012.

The Society took the position that there was nothing preventing bargaining as usual and vigorously presented the agenda items Society members identified as priorities. 

OPG said that it was bound by directions from its sole shareholder, the Government of Ontario, which prevented them from offering anything other than:

• Zero percent compensation increases for two years;
• No step progression for two years;
• No improvements to health and dental benefits or other leave provisions;
• Significant increases to pension contribution rates;
• A reduction in pension entitlements for current pensioners and active employees when they retire; and
• Additional takeaways

As well, the Employer was unwilling to agree to any of the Society’s proposals to increase members’ rights and flexibility even when the proposals had no cost. 

Despite the Society’s efforts to engage in real negotiations, OPG’s position barely moved over the course of the two weeks and it became clear that an impasse had been reached.

The next step is to begin preparations for mediation-arbitration of our dispute.

OPG and The Society have agreed on Mr. Chris Albertyn as Mediator/Arbitrator and the hearing will take place in Toronto on January 29, 30 and 31, 2013.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Society bargaining team who put significant time and effort in preparing for and carrying out this round of bargaining.