Bargaining Information
In May 2011, concerns have been raised regarding bonuses paid to government employees at eHealth Ontario. Below please find an article from the CBC that exposed the bonuses http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/05/18/ehealth-bonuses-merit-pay325.html and, after the public outcry, an article that documents the withdrawal of those bonuses http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/994856--ehealth-scraps-raises-and-bonuses-after-star-story?bn=1
Facts vs. Spin on the Unified OPS Collective Agreement
OPSEU has placed a response to the disclosure last week about the most recent OPS/OPSEU bargaining settlement. You can find this response at:
OPSEU's response:
http://www.opseu.org/ops/may-5-2011-fact-vs-spin.htm
OPSEU's response:
http://www.opseu.org/ops/may-5-2011-fact-vs-spin.htm
To this article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-gave-secret-wage-hike-to-public-sector-workers-documents-allege/article2009740/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-gave-secret-wage-hike-to-public-sector-workers-documents-allege/article2009740/
L565 AGCO vote results
#200 ballots cast
#163 ballots ratifying the agreement
#37 ballots rejecting the agreement
#163 ballots ratifying the agreement
#37 ballots rejecting the agreement
A Final Note…Before You Vote:
A Final Note…Before You Vote:
A Message From Your Bargaining Team
Thank you to everyone who participated in our various conference calls and information sessions on Thursday March 24. You provided honest feedback and helped our collective goal of clarifying the tentative agreement. It is our absolute wish that each and every member become educated on the changes and has the opportunity to gain a solid understanding of the process and the result. After our conference calls and meetings, a few recurring questions and themes were raised and we wish to share a few points with you. The following insights and reminders are those provided by your fellow members:
(1) Your merit increase remains intact in the tentative agreement. People who are not at the top of their pay grid continue to receive annual pay increases to a maximum of 3.5% at the Expected level, at the time of PDR. Again, this is true through the entire life of this four year Collective Agreement, including the first two years with the “0”/“0” wage freeze.
(2) The gains made in the area of personal days add up to an extra week of paid time off over the life of the tentative agreement.
-“1” extra personal day in 2011
-“2” extra personal days in 2012
-“1” extra personal day in 2013
-“1” extra personal day in 2014
=“5” total personal days over the term of the tentative agreement
(3) It adds up. The increase in personal days and the $500.00 signing bonus represent an additional 2.4% increase over the life of this tentative agreement. Over the four years it can be perceived as a 7.6% increase.
(4) Contract workers have the right to vote.
(5) It is possible to lose the current gains in the tentative agreement if the majority vote against acceptance of the tentative agreement.
The Bargaining Team reaffirms that this is the best possible deal under the circumstances discussed on Thursday. Please carefully consider all options before you. On March 28, make your decision, confident in your understanding of this agreement. You have our full support, from the ballot and well beyond.
Additional Perspectives By The Numbers
For those of you who attending the meeting in Toronto or have discussed this with the Bargaining Team, here is the breakdown comparison to the OPPA, as prepared by Bargaining Team member, Clint Ferguson:
A Breakdown of Wage Increases
Old contract comparison to OPPA
Year OPPA AGCO Difference + / -
2008 2.25% 3.00% +0.75%
2009 2.35% 3.00% +0.65%
2010 2.00% 3.00% +1.00%
Wage Re-Opener
2010 3.075% NONE -3.075%
Total -0.675% (is this worth fighting for?)
New contract comparison to OPPA
Year OPPA AGCO Difference + / -
2011 0% 0% 0%
2012 0% 0% 0%
2013 Me Too 2.60% Unknown since the Me Too clause could be anything..
THE BIG DAY: The Vote on Monday
Of the members that attend to vote, 50% plus 1 votes of ‘yes’ = ratification to the new Collective Agreement (recommended by bargaining team) whereas 50% plus 1 votes of ‘no’ = the Collective Agreement will not be ratified.
VOTE
Please coordinate your time off for voting purposes with your manager to ensure that operational needs continue to be met during your absence (for regional staff, managers were notified by Teresa Tedesco as an FYI, asking for some flexibility for members who have to drive a bit of a distance to the regional OPSEU office and the use of board vehicles).
Of course, you are welcome to cast your vote on a meal break or rest break.
BALLOT
The ballot on Monday will contain the following:
OPSEU Ballot Wording
YES
I accept the tentative settlement.
NO
I reject the tentative settlement and authorize the Bargaining Team to call a strike if necessary
The wording of the ballot has been carefully considered and indicates the fact that, if the ratification is not approved, the members are willing to go on strike to improve the Collective agreement.
If you have any remaining questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Outreach contact or a member of the Bargaining Team before you make your decision.
Best Wishes,
Your Bargaining Team
OPSEU Local 565
A Message From Your Bargaining Team
Thank you to everyone who participated in our various conference calls and information sessions on Thursday March 24. You provided honest feedback and helped our collective goal of clarifying the tentative agreement. It is our absolute wish that each and every member become educated on the changes and has the opportunity to gain a solid understanding of the process and the result. After our conference calls and meetings, a few recurring questions and themes were raised and we wish to share a few points with you. The following insights and reminders are those provided by your fellow members:
(1) Your merit increase remains intact in the tentative agreement. People who are not at the top of their pay grid continue to receive annual pay increases to a maximum of 3.5% at the Expected level, at the time of PDR. Again, this is true through the entire life of this four year Collective Agreement, including the first two years with the “0”/“0” wage freeze.
(2) The gains made in the area of personal days add up to an extra week of paid time off over the life of the tentative agreement.
-“1” extra personal day in 2011
-“2” extra personal days in 2012
-“1” extra personal day in 2013
-“1” extra personal day in 2014
=“5” total personal days over the term of the tentative agreement
(3) It adds up. The increase in personal days and the $500.00 signing bonus represent an additional 2.4% increase over the life of this tentative agreement. Over the four years it can be perceived as a 7.6% increase.
(4) Contract workers have the right to vote.
(5) It is possible to lose the current gains in the tentative agreement if the majority vote against acceptance of the tentative agreement.
The Bargaining Team reaffirms that this is the best possible deal under the circumstances discussed on Thursday. Please carefully consider all options before you. On March 28, make your decision, confident in your understanding of this agreement. You have our full support, from the ballot and well beyond.
Additional Perspectives By The Numbers
For those of you who attending the meeting in Toronto or have discussed this with the Bargaining Team, here is the breakdown comparison to the OPPA, as prepared by Bargaining Team member, Clint Ferguson:
A Breakdown of Wage Increases
Old contract comparison to OPPA
Year OPPA AGCO Difference + / -
2008 2.25% 3.00% +0.75%
2009 2.35% 3.00% +0.65%
2010 2.00% 3.00% +1.00%
Wage Re-Opener
2010 3.075% NONE -3.075%
Total -0.675% (is this worth fighting for?)
New contract comparison to OPPA
Year OPPA AGCO Difference + / -
2011 0% 0% 0%
2012 0% 0% 0%
2013 Me Too 2.60% Unknown since the Me Too clause could be anything..
THE BIG DAY: The Vote on Monday
Of the members that attend to vote, 50% plus 1 votes of ‘yes’ = ratification to the new Collective Agreement (recommended by bargaining team) whereas 50% plus 1 votes of ‘no’ = the Collective Agreement will not be ratified.
VOTE
Please coordinate your time off for voting purposes with your manager to ensure that operational needs continue to be met during your absence (for regional staff, managers were notified by Teresa Tedesco as an FYI, asking for some flexibility for members who have to drive a bit of a distance to the regional OPSEU office and the use of board vehicles).
Of course, you are welcome to cast your vote on a meal break or rest break.
BALLOT
The ballot on Monday will contain the following:
OPSEU Ballot Wording
YES
I accept the tentative settlement.
NO
I reject the tentative settlement and authorize the Bargaining Team to call a strike if necessary
The wording of the ballot has been carefully considered and indicates the fact that, if the ratification is not approved, the members are willing to go on strike to improve the Collective agreement.
If you have any remaining questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Outreach contact or a member of the Bargaining Team before you make your decision.
Best Wishes,
Your Bargaining Team
OPSEU Local 565
Tentative Changes Presented for Ratification
| tentative_changes_presented_for_ratification.doc |
BARGAINING BULLETIN #5
Dear OPSEU Local #565/AGCO Members:
On the evening of Friday, March 11, 2011, OPSEU Local 565's bargaining team reached a tentative agreement on the renewal of its Collective Agreement with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. The bargaining team is unanimously recommending acceptance of this tentative agreement to its members.
Significant gains were made in the following areas:
• financial/economic improvements
• benefits improvements
• language improvements
Given the provincial nature of the bargaining unit and the union's commitment to sharing information across the province equitably and at the same time, details of the changes will be forthcoming according to the following schedule:
Today
WHAT?: A detailed summary of changes to the Collective Agreement
WHERE?: Posted to the OPSEU 565 website (http://www.opseulocal565.com/index.html) with a link from the OPSEU provincial website (www.opseu.com) and the AGCO Intranet (under useful links - reasonable access is allowed).
WHY?: To give members more information about the tentative changes to the Collective Agreement
March 24, 2011 at the latest
WHAT?: Posting of a document that will provide an exhaustive list of collective agreement changes and detailed ratification procedures
WHEN?: By 8:00 am
WHERE?: Posted to the OPSEU 565 website (http://www.opseulocal565.com/index.html) with a link from the OPSEU provincial website (www.opseu.com) and a link from the AGCO Intranet (under useful links - reasonable access is allowed).
WHY?: To give members an opportunity to learn about the changes to the Collective Agreement in advance of our information sessions (see below) so they can make an informed decision at ratification (for more about "ratification", read below)
AND
March 24, 2011
WHAT?: Information sessions for all AGCO bargaining unit members
WHEN & WHERE?: At lunch in person at AGCO headquarters in Toronto (12:30 to 1:30 pm) and via conference call at 9:30 am, 12 noon & at 7:30 pm for any and all members to call in. For the Conference calls a Bargaining Team Member will be calling in as Resource Person and will answer any questions that may occur. Please feel free to call into whichever time is convenient for you.
Call-In: 1-866-234-0247 Or 416-443-4589 - ID #4718233
WHY?: To ask questions/get clarification about the changes in preparation for ratification, March 28, 2011 (see below)
March 28, 2011
WHAT?: Ratification (= member endorsement or rejection of the tentative agreement by way of a secret balloted vote)
WHERE?: In person at AGCO Head Office and in 17 OPSEU Regional Offices across the province
WHEN?: Tentatively 9 am - 4:30 pm
WHY?: The membership must ratify changes to the Collective Agreement because OPSEU and its Local 565 is a democratic union committed to giving all its members a say in all aspects of decision making. And because you the members ARE the Union and this is your agreement to accept or reject.
To reiterate, The OPSEU Local 565 bargaining team is recommending acceptance of this tentative agreement.
If you have any questions or feedback after the Information Session please let your Bargaining Team member know and we can address your concerns.
Thanks again for your support and participation!
Clint Ferguson
Acting Chair
OPSEU Local 565 March 17, 2011
On the evening of Friday, March 11, 2011, OPSEU Local 565's bargaining team reached a tentative agreement on the renewal of its Collective Agreement with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. The bargaining team is unanimously recommending acceptance of this tentative agreement to its members.
Significant gains were made in the following areas:
• financial/economic improvements
• benefits improvements
• language improvements
Given the provincial nature of the bargaining unit and the union's commitment to sharing information across the province equitably and at the same time, details of the changes will be forthcoming according to the following schedule:
Today
WHAT?: A detailed summary of changes to the Collective Agreement
WHERE?: Posted to the OPSEU 565 website (http://www.opseulocal565.com/index.html) with a link from the OPSEU provincial website (www.opseu.com) and the AGCO Intranet (under useful links - reasonable access is allowed).
WHY?: To give members more information about the tentative changes to the Collective Agreement
March 24, 2011 at the latest
WHAT?: Posting of a document that will provide an exhaustive list of collective agreement changes and detailed ratification procedures
WHEN?: By 8:00 am
WHERE?: Posted to the OPSEU 565 website (http://www.opseulocal565.com/index.html) with a link from the OPSEU provincial website (www.opseu.com) and a link from the AGCO Intranet (under useful links - reasonable access is allowed).
WHY?: To give members an opportunity to learn about the changes to the Collective Agreement in advance of our information sessions (see below) so they can make an informed decision at ratification (for more about "ratification", read below)
AND
March 24, 2011
WHAT?: Information sessions for all AGCO bargaining unit members
WHEN & WHERE?: At lunch in person at AGCO headquarters in Toronto (12:30 to 1:30 pm) and via conference call at 9:30 am, 12 noon & at 7:30 pm for any and all members to call in. For the Conference calls a Bargaining Team Member will be calling in as Resource Person and will answer any questions that may occur. Please feel free to call into whichever time is convenient for you.
Call-In: 1-866-234-0247 Or 416-443-4589 - ID #4718233
WHY?: To ask questions/get clarification about the changes in preparation for ratification, March 28, 2011 (see below)
March 28, 2011
WHAT?: Ratification (= member endorsement or rejection of the tentative agreement by way of a secret balloted vote)
WHERE?: In person at AGCO Head Office and in 17 OPSEU Regional Offices across the province
WHEN?: Tentatively 9 am - 4:30 pm
WHY?: The membership must ratify changes to the Collective Agreement because OPSEU and its Local 565 is a democratic union committed to giving all its members a say in all aspects of decision making. And because you the members ARE the Union and this is your agreement to accept or reject.
To reiterate, The OPSEU Local 565 bargaining team is recommending acceptance of this tentative agreement.
If you have any questions or feedback after the Information Session please let your Bargaining Team member know and we can address your concerns.
Thanks again for your support and participation!
Clint Ferguson
Acting Chair
OPSEU Local 565 March 17, 2011
| summary_of_changes.doc |
| where_do_i_vote.doc |
BARGAINING BULLETIN #3
Dear Members of OPSEU Local #565: Thank-you to the dozens of Members who attended or called-in for bargaining updates in 7 cities the first week of February. We had 56 attend in Toronto alone with well over a 100 gathering or phoning in to regional meetings & conference calls to listen, question & offer feedback to the first major round of bargaining on non-economic matters. This past week, the Bargaining Team met again with the employer. Housekeeping matters were tweaked from the non-economic discussions. Further, both sides tabled their economic proposals. The Union has opened with your top priorities as stated in the demand set surveys & GMM (General Membership Meeting):
- Wages
- COLA
- prescriptions @ 100%
- increased vacations
- vision/eyecare
- top-up to parental/maternity & family medical leave
- increased personal days.
- our website
- contact information for the Bargaining Team
- contact information for Outreach Team Members.
| opseu_-_bargaining_update__3_attachment__2.doc |
| opseu_-_outreach_bargaining_team_april_1_2011.doc |
OPSEU Local #565
AGCO (Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario)
Bargaining Team 2010
Local 565 Bargaining Team has been elected.
The team consists of:
· Mike GYEMI – President – Electronic Gaming Enforcement Officer(Windsor)
· Lorraine SIMPSON – Vice President – AGCO Inspector (London)
· Linda MacKINNON – Chief Steward – Senior Law Clerk (Toronto)
· Lyn SANDILAND – Steward – AGCO Inspector (Toronto)
· Clint FERGUSON – Member- Electronic Gaming Enforcement Officer (Niagara Falls)
The team will be meeting regularly with OPSEU Staff Rep. Bernard KING.
JOINT HEALTH AND SAFEY COMMITTEE
Please welcome our new Health and Safety Committee member, Kristina KRAUSE.
Kristina is a Liquor Licence Officer working in Toronto.
JOINT CONSULTATION COMMITTEE
We would like to thank Kelly WORKMAN for all her assistance and hard work, but due to personal demands is stepping down.
Please welcome Lana JUTLAH to the Committee. Lana works in Sector Liaison in Toronto.
