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Fightback Against Cuts and Privatization in Ontario Public Services

This campaign aims to mobilize and unite OPSEU members and the public to fight against cuts and privatization in Ontario public services. Through rallies, petitions, town hall meetings, and awareness efforts, we strive to protect jobs and quality public services for the people of Ontario.

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Fightback Against Cuts and Privatization in Ontario Public Services

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  1. “Just because a particular government department delivers a program today, does not mean it should deliver it tomorrow.” (2011 Ontario Budget: Budget Papers, page 69.) At the 2011 OPSEU Convention, delegates voted unanimously to support a fightback against cuts and privatization in the OPS.

  2. Under the leadership of Corrections MERC, Save Our Jails campaign launched. 12,000 people signed petitions, hundreds attended town hall mtgs; questions were raised in the Legislature. No cost-benefit analysis to justify closures ever provided. 3

  3. A special two-day fightback meeting of OPS Locals was held June 17-18, 2011. 4

  4. “Words that work” exercise: talking about what we do for the people of Ontario. 5

  5. Campaign materials created, coming out of the Fightback meeting. Leaflet drops around Queen’s Park, and during Labour Day events. 6

  6. 274 layoff notices issued July 14. Eliminated: program review of social assistance, SSAH for adults with developmental disabilities. Reduced: regulation of pay day loans and collection agencies, drinking water inspectors in 4 districts, scientists and technical experts on air and water quality. 7

  7. Locals across the province organized rallies and barbecues on July 14, “Pink Slip Day.” 8

  8. More campaign resources are created over the summer, fall and winter months. 9

  9. In the late summer and early fall, the Central Enforcement and Renewal Committee (CERC) developed a comprehensive campaign proposal to fight job and service cuts. It was approved by the OPSEU Executive Board in September. Planning begins for phase of mobilization, November – January 2012. 10

  10. OPSEU’s Executive Board approved funding for the union to survey Ontarians on the potential privatization of ServiceOntario. 1,000 Ontarians surveyed Sept. 27 – Oct. 4. 71% oppose the privatization of ServiceOntario. 75% are concerned about a private company having access to, and the ability to control and make changes to, their personal information. 68% prefer service delivery in-person. 11

  11. OPSEU supports 28 candidates in the Oct. 6 provincial election. 12

  12. 231 layoff notices issued on November 17. Eliminated: Ontario’s only senior marine heritage advisor. Reduced: answering public inquiries on road safety, processing of claims from health care providers, processing of restraining orders, child and spousal support orders. 13

  13. 18 member mobilizers booked off to help organize 26 stewards assemblies, Dec. 2011 – Jan. 2012. 14

  14. Under the leadership of the ODSP sub-committee of MCSS MERC, ODSP members have made three submissions to the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance, have held colour days in the workplace and have lobbied their MPPs. 15

  15. A major focus of the union’s campaigning efforts has been ServiceOntario under the leadership of the ServiceOntario subcomittee of the MGS MERC.This campaign package was e-mailed to 1,300 MGS members with secure e-mails and OPS local presidents. 16

  16. Member mobilizers helped recruit community and union members to participate in the Commission on Quality Public Services and Tax Fairness, Jan – Feb. 2012. 17

  17. OPS Local Presidents met Feb. 4, 2012, to talk about bargaining, the political environment and an Action Plan for All OPS Locals. 18

  18. Four days after the government announced ServiceOntario will be handed over to a public-private partnership, and two days after the Drummond Commission’s report, OPS locals hold information pickets. 45 are held Feb. 17 – March 19. 19

  19. Originally produced for the ServiceOntario campaign, the slogan – CHOOSE PUBLIC – and the wristbands proved popular among all OPS locals. By the end of March, 14,000 wristbands were shipped to OPS locals. 20

  20. Closure leaked to the media, Feb. 1, before staff notified. 65 full-time jobs lost and 600 summer student jobs. Events held Feb. 25, March 7, April 5 and 12 to raise awareness, creative social media campaign launched. 21

  21. The closure of Bluewater, March 5, is leaked to the media prior to staff being notified. 200 good-paying jobs are ripped out of the town of Goderich. The downsizing of Brookside and Cecil Facer Youth Centres are also announced. 22

  22. Members in more than 30 workplaces dress in black, wear Choose Public stickers and wristbands, and post flyers in support of public services on March 29, two days after the provincial Budget is released, announcing yet more cuts. 23

  23. In this video, Local 555 members in Toronto share their concerns for the future of their jobs and services. 24

  24. Thistletown closure over 2 years announced March 19. 240 permanent jobs cut. Hundreds of families affected. Rallies held March 25, April 1. Families and Friends Against the Closing of Thistletown revitalized after 17 years. http://savethistletown.com/ 25

  25. The interim report of the Commission on Quality Public Services and Tax Fairness is released April 13. The Commission visited 12 communities, collecting testimony from more than 1,000 providers and users of public services, experts on progressive tax reform, public policy planners and ordinary citizens. The report contains 16 recommendations on ways that Ontario can maintain public services through moderate tax reform. 26

  26. As a response to the Budget’s attack on public services and the workers who deliver them, OPSEU launches the ORNGE line, asking members to alert them to management waste including: too many managers, high-priced consultants, bonuses, perks, salary hikes for senior staff. 27

  27. Ontario Public Service index page, April 19. One-stop for all information about bargaining and the campaign. 28

  28. The OPS Blog, April 19. Short information items on service and job cuts, with action generally included at the end of the post, e.g.: a website to go to, an e-mail address for an MPP or cabinet minister. Ideal for sharing with co-workers and friends via Facebook and Twitter. Pick up your card with the URL at the OPS campaign table. 29

  29. We have started this poster series, profiling the work of our members. Pick up copies at the OPS campaigns table and post them in your workplace. Pls volunteer to be the subject of a future poster - we want to include as many OPS jobs as possible! We want the public to know the important work we do on behalf of the people of Ontario. 30

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