OPSEU/SEFPO

OPSEU and Teranet working together to implement Grievance Arbitration award ruling

In 2009, OPSEU filed a policy grievance regarding Teranet’s interpretation of the recognition clause. The recognition clause describes what Teranet work is governed by the Collective Agreement. Although Teranet and OPSEU worked hard to achieve a settlement, none was reached. The case therefore went to arbitration for interpretation of the recognition clause. Recently, the Arbitrator…

March 16, 2016

Grievance Arbitration Awards, Media release

Employers’ duty to accommodate employees’ child care obligations reaffirmed

LONDON – A recent arbitration decision in favour of a Fanshawe college professor could help employees trying to balance variable work schedules with their child care responsibilities, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Fanshawe professor Amanda Zavitz-Gocan filed a grievance against the college in 2011 alleging discrimination on the basis of family status,…

Andy Pedersen

July 10, 2015

Bargaining, Campaigns, Grievances, Media

Important message to Court Reporters

If you have produced transcripts and have not received an election package from the Ministry of the Attorney General and / or have been contacted by OPSEU for additional information, please note that OPSEU requires your information no later than March 31, 2015. This information is required so that OPSEU can determine what further steps…

Andy Pedersen

February 18, 2015

OPSEU confronts problems with GSB arbitrators’ scheduling

There is a developing crisis in our ability to schedule new matters for arbitration at the Grievance Settlement Board. OPSEU is in a fight to maintain a fair system of arbitration to resolve grievances to enforce our members’ rights under the OPS and LCBO collective agreements. Background All Crown employee grievances come under the jurisdiction…

Andy Pedersen

January 20, 2015

Grievances

LBED human rights complaint application goes to preliminary hearing Feb. 12-13, 2015.

In May 2013, during our last round of contract negotiations, OPSEU filed a human rights complaint against the LCBO. After we reached a settlement with the LCBO it was the intention that both parties would agree to schedule mediation/adjudication meetings with a neutral third party in an attempt to resolve the issues raised in our…

Andy Pedersen

September 9, 2014

Campaigns, Grievances

Implementation of the Court Reporter MOS (Hunt et. al.) Moving Forward

The Memorandum of Settlement (MOS) negotiated between OPSEU and the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) on March 3, 2014 is moving forward. Hundreds of current, former, and retired court reporters have come forward to share their contact information, transcribing period and other requested information. There has been continuous work going on behind the scenes.…

Andy Pedersen

June 27, 2014

Let’s set the record straight!

OPSEU members working in numerous court houses across the province have been told by their managers that OPSEU was in agreement with the ‘new model’ for transcript production. Specifically, these managers allege that we agreed to: The privatization of transcripts. Eliminating court reporters right of first refusal of the transcript. Enshrine precarious work. …

Andy Pedersen

June 27, 2014

Court Reporters

Court Reporters Update – May 21, 2014

The Ministry of the Attorney General has provided OPSEU with the lists of current court reporters (Group A) and retired court reporters (Group B) as specified in the Memorandum of Settlement (MOS), March 3, 2014. The MOS states that OPSEU has 30 days in which to review and include additional names to either list. Tim…

Andy Pedersen

May 21, 2014

Qs & As for the Memorandum of Settlement (MOS) for Court Reporters – March 3, 2014

Memorandum of Settlement General Questions Q1: What does this MOS do? A: The MOS settles a series of grievances filed regarding court reporting and transcript production. Q2: Why did OPSEU settle the grievances? A: There have been a number of GSB decisions issued by the Vice-Chair Abramsky and others regarding transcript production. The first and…

Andy Pedersen

April 22, 2014

OPSEU files application with Labour Board to save mental health jobs

BROCKVILLE – The union representing over 200 skilled professionals at the Brockville Mental Health Centre (BMHC) has filed an application with the Ontario Relations Labour Board (OLRB) in order to keep trained professionals working in the mental health care field. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has filed an application under the Public Sector…

Andy Pedersen

Campaigns, Grievances, Media

Job cuts, Media release

Court Reporters – President Thomas meets with the Attorney General to talk about court reporters

President Thomas, Julie Weber, Ministry of the Attorney General MERC Chair and OPSEU Staff met with the Attorney General, Chris Bentley on Wednesday, March 31st. The Union requested this meeting in order to discuss concerns regarding the implementation of the court reporters Hunt et al decision. Even though Grievance Settlement Board Vice-Chair Abramsky determined in this…

Andy Pedersen

Court Reporters, Grievance Awards, Job cuts

OPSEU wins personal privacy victory for enforcement workers

The Crown Employees Grievance Settlement Board (GSB) has ruled in favour of OPSEU in a key settlement on personal privacy in the workplace. OPSEU filed the grievance on the behalf of a health and safety inspector with the Ministry of Labour, alleging that the Government of Ontario had illegally obtained, disclosed and disseminated private Canada…

Andy Pedersen

Court Reporter Update – June 1, 2010

Since our last update, over 500 Court Reporters have contacted us to provide information about their transcript work. We couldn’t be more pleased! More… We would like to thank three of your colleagues, whose determination and organization, made the collection of the data so successful. Helen Haggith (Windsor Court), Marlene Hollingsworth (Welland Court) and Pirjo…

Andy Pedersen

Court Reporters, Grievance Awards, Job cuts

Job competition so flawed, vice chair orders rare remedy

During the summer of 2007, the Ministry of Labour, specifically the Office of the Worker Advisor, posted new positions and ran a competition. The Union and individual members filed grievances about this competition, alleging that it was so flawed that it ought to be re-run. On June 15, 2010 Vice Chair Nimal Dissanayake issued his…

Andy Pedersen

Simcoe County District School Board Insurance Trust Wind Up Distribution of Surplus

Background The Simcoe County District School Board Insurance Trust was set up to provide group insurance to employees of the Simcoe County District School Board. The Insurance Trust came into being on January 1, 1969. OPSEU members formally started participating in the Insurance Trust on January 1, 1977 and continued participating in the Trust until…

Andy Pedersen

Legal decisions

Simcoe County District School Board Insurance Trust Wind Up Important Update

Demutualization Proceeds May 15, 2015 Cheques representing OPSEU member’s entitlements to the demutualization proceeds under the Simcoe County District School Board Insurance Trust Wind Up are being mailed out today. Eligible members who completed and returned their application for demutualization funds by the deadline should be receiving their payment by the end of the month.…

Andy Pedersen

Legal decisions

Liberal government responsible for OLRB ruling against college workers

Liberal governments under Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne bear responsibility for a decision yesterday by the Ontario Labour Relations Board that effectively takes away the democratic right of more than 16,000 college part-time workers to join a union, says the president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "This is a remarkable example of democracy…

Andy Pedersen