Category: Bargaining
-
End the marriage between business and government
Dear friends, OPSEU members have a lot to be concerned about as we head into the winter of 2011. We know the next provincial budget will be of critical importance to many. Members worked hard during the past year to voice their concerns and shape the future. We’ve done this through political activity, campaigns and…
Andy Pedersen
-
Cash Without a Pulse
“Dead money.” That’s what Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney this week called the half trillion dollars Canadian corporations have stashed away. Both Carney (and surprisingly) Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have criticized corporations for stuffing money into mattresses while our economy lays dormant. Both men have said investment in research, technology and innovation could increase…
Andy Pedersen
-
Working Together – Leading the Resistance Movement
The clouds of conflict gather as we count down to the federal and provincial budgets. The coming fight will be unlike others; waged by the privileged one per cent, motivated by greed, self-interest and a commitment to dismantle public services. The 99 per cent is in their sights. We are part of the 99 percent,…
Andy Pedersen
-
Unions united are getting results
Dear sisters and brothers: A few days ago, Premier Dalton McGuinty told a group of Ontario road builders that now is not the time to be cutting back on public spending. “If banks are reluctant to lend and the private sector is not doing that much spending and consumer confidence isn’t where it should be,”…
-
The Clock is Ticking
It’s that time again. It’s time to review the past year. It’s time to plan. We must strategize and prepare so we can meet upcoming challenges. Yes, it’s time to develop the 2013 OPSEU budget. What is the right course for 2013? In many cases it is steady as we go. The attack on working…
Andy Pedersen
-
Profits and poverty: a look at two budgets
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty called his March 22 Budget A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth. I’d call it something else: A Program for Profits and Poverty. Even Tories considered Flaherty too right-wing when he was Ontario Finance Minister a few years back. He fits right in with Stephen Harper, who wasn’t kidding when…
-
Members to McGuinty: We don’t buy your spin
Sept. 13, 2010 was a big day for our union. Close to 500 elected leaders from OPSEU locals, sectors, and key committees came together that day in Mississauga. They had one goal: to nail down a response to the McGuinty wage freeze. The debate was passionate. Members had many views about the best strategy to…
Andy Pedersen
-
Election question: What kind of Ontario do we want?
Recent election results in the United States and here at home have got us all wondering where the world is going these days. And with a provincial election next year, when I say "the world," I mean Ontario. In some municipal races and the U.S. mid-term elections, quite a few voters shifted their support to…
-
Canadian Tories: If the Mitt Fits, Wear It
There was a time when civic-minded individuals entered politics. Sadly, that time appears to have passed. So what happened? Where did all the nation-builders go? Where are the big thinkers – the problem solvers? More importantly, why do the people we elect today end up punishing the people who elect them? I’ve heard about people…
Andy Pedersen
-
Workers bear burden of provincial ‘restraint’
Toronto Star: Published on November 19, 2010 A $35,000-a-year caregiver in a nursing home doesn’t usually get much news coverage. She feeds our parents and grandparents. She helps them use the bathroom. She tries to enrich their final years. Sometimes she holds their hands as they die. None of this makes the news. It’s behind…
Andy Pedersen
-
Truth, deception and Ontario’s bi-elections
In true Liberal style, Dalton McGuinty has back-pedaled. Just days ago, when asked to comment on Greg Sorbara’s sudden retirement as an MPP, the Premier spoke about calling byelections in the ridings of Vaughan and Kitchener-Waterloo, and stated: “It would be unfair to plunge the province into two important byelections in the dog days of…
-
The 60% Solution
Civics class taught me elected governments should work for all the people. So, should we be surprised when Tory governments promote policies that appeal only to their base, which is only one-third of the electorate? Not really, given the electoral system allows 38-40 per cent of voters to prevail. Many Canadians think political parties transform…
Andy Pedersen
-
Privatization: one battle is won but the war goes on
Dear sisters and brothers: It’s official: The McGuinty Liberals have put a stake through the heart of a very bad idea called “Supercorp.” It’s a big relief. The basic idea of Supercorp was this: the LCBO, Ontario Lottery and Gaming, Hydro One, and Ontario Power Generation would become a single company; the Liberals would sell…
Andy Pedersen
-
March 8th Should be a National Public Holiday
Dear sisters and brothers: For the past 99 years, March 8th, International Women’s Day, has been celebrated at thousands of events attended by millions around the globe. And rightly so. Over the past century, the women of the world have launched countless struggles for gender equity, social and economic justice and for peace. Every nation…
Andy Pedersen
-
I am Canadian
A popular brewer hit pay dirt a few years ago with their catchy slogan, "I am Canadian." That cheeky statement became wildly popular with hockey fans, ball teams, back yard charbroil lovers and a lot of other average folks. That said, we have to recognize our history is far from perfect. We have witnessed colonialism…
Andy Pedersen
-
Dues Levy: It’s time to have the conversation
Greetings Friends It’s been well over a month since I’ve posted an update; I can say these past weeks have been a busy time here at OPSEU as always, but specific to my office around financials and the budget for 2012. While working closely with the President, the Executive Board and staff on financial issues…
Andy Pedersen
-
Canada’s democracy has never been at greater risk. Its enemy lies within. The question is where?
For years the radical right has spilled a lot of ink to convincing us that special interest groups have high-jacked our most respected and valued institutions. These institutions are our heritage, defended by brave men and women in uniform. Many have lost their lives in this defence. But are the claims of Corporate Canada true?…
Andy Pedersen
-
Faculty, CEC proposals 2024
Legend for proposal numbers: U# = union proposal M# = management proposal *We have requested copies of the CEC proposals in French Opening statements From Proposals / responses Date College Faculty Opening Statement – EN /FR July 15-16, 2024 CEC Opening Statement – EN / FR July 15-16, 2024 Union proposals Workload From Proposals /…