OPSEU wants court ruling on public sector wage freeze legislation
Thursday, September 27, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PUBLIC
SERVICE EMPLOYEES
UNION (OPSEU)
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OPSEU calls on Duncan to get court ruling on freeze legislation
TORONTO - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union is calling on Finance Minister Dwight Duncan to get a ruling on the legality of his proposed public sector wage freeze legislation prior to passing it into law.
On September 26, Duncan announced the Liberal government would propose legislation that would impose a wage freeze on nearly 500,000 public sector workers, legislation that even Duncan admits may be unconstitutional.
"There's constitutional risk with this, there's no question," Duncan said after unveiling details of the draft legislation.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is demanding that the government get a stamp of approval from Ontario Court instead of passing a law that could well be illegal.
"Every citizen in Ontario, whether they belong to a union or not, should be extremely fearful of a government that would try to pass a law that they themselves admit may be unconstitutional," Thomas said. "This draft legislation is an attack on the democratic process in this province, and it seems that Duncan and the Premier are declaring themselves to be above the law. All Duncan has to do is get a judge to rule on this beforehand. Instead, he will wind up spending millions in taxpayer money trying to defend the law after the fact."
Thomas said that this has all the hallmarks of a government that is acting in desperation, and is appalled that the McGuinty Liberals would act so recklessly to a threat that hasn't even manifested itself yet.
"Our members fully understand the economic situation we are in," Thomas said. "No one is making any exorbitant demands. Yet before negotiations ever take place, the government wants to pass a law that freezes wages, virtually nullifies the right to strike and that gives them the ability to impose contracts. And Duncan doesn't even know if it's legal. Frankly, that should scare the hell out of anyone who lives or does business in this province."
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tcowen 9/27/2012 4:40:17 PM ReportInterestingly ironic that the gutting of public services only becomes constitutionally questionable when OPSEU workers themselves are expected to streamline capital costs?
I'm In 9/27/2012 7:08:09 PM Reporttcowen: its not about cutting services read the story maybe you'll understand. Its about passing a bill into law that might be unconstitutional (if you know what the word means)
catmom 9/27/2012 7:24:11 PM ReportJust like I predicted a few weeks ago, Dalton is trying to pass more legislation (contrary to our Charter rights) to impose his short-sided cost-cutting measures on another group of largely middle-class workers. When will this moron wake up and realize that there are other ways to reduce the province's debt?
medsec 9/27/2012 7:42:06 PM Reportcatmom: this moron will never wake up, he made this mess, bet he won't won't take a tax break, hello David O any comment????
OrlandoFlorida 9/27/2012 7:53:19 PM ReportIt's interesting that OPSEU did NOT stand up for the rights of non union government workers when they had their wages frozen two years ago and are entering into an additional two years of wages being frozen. In yet, now that OPSEU is expected to take wage freezes they say they are speaking for both union and non union workers. REALLY!
speed7 9/27/2012 8:12:36 PM Reportorlando
I think they are speaking for all workers. Think about it, if the government can pass legislation for this? Then what do you suppose that they will do with everyone? Even for those in the private sector? We'll soon all be working for minimum wage that's what?
tcowen 9/27/2012 8:29:49 PM ReportThis is what happens when we allow our elected representatives to pass budgets before they're written.. freeze the wages, cut the jobs then disappear the pensions.. spit rinse & repeat.
Yes 'I'm in' I do know what the word constitutional means.. now I'm wondering if you know the difference between constitutional law and contractual.?
Hatch 9/27/2012 8:29:51 PM ReportHe could freeze it for 5 years for all I care. Civil servants are due for a rude awakening here on in. I just think there's better ways of dealing with them and achieving his provincial goals.
OrlandoFlorida 9/27/2012 8:43:57 PM ReportSpeed, I think you missed what I was saying, McGuinty is already screwing workers, as I said non government workers took a wage freeze, two months after McGuinty forced the teachers to take a 2% wage increase, a wage freeze right after McGuinty made a secret deal with OPSEU. Again where we're these union leaders then, oh wait I know going to the bank with wage increases.
speed7 9/27/2012 11:30:29 PM ReportHatch they have been freezing wages for many years. You dont have to care, but this does not mean you are safe.
Orlando, I did get what you say but if you had no union??? Does'nt seem to matter anymore, union or not the government seems to have found their snag and they will use it again. Its funny that knowone mentions the loss of sick days and dipping into pensions at all . Everybody just focuses on the wage freezes which wasnt a big issue in the first place with teachers. What a complete joke when everyone is totally misinformed.
geterdun 9/28/2012 12:50:06 AM Reportmorale of the story is: what they are doing is not legal.They cant do it it is not legal get it...... WTF!!!!!!!idiots wasting our money to lose..........idiots.......its not legal ding dongs...........man these politicians are arrogant smucks arent they.........What say the now David O?????? what no comment from the lib lovers on this one???????? Total and complete dummies........God help us !!!!!!
speed7 9/28/2012 6:04:00 AM ReportRoll out the red tape. Like I've said before. This legislation serves to keep lawyers, beurocrats, judges and the courts and freinds of freinds in the system gainfully employed while the rest of us get stuck eating cat food out of little tin cans! Next it will be stand in line for food rations like communists do. No soup for you today! Get to the back of the line.
jay 9/28/2012 6:09:37 AM ReportThe non-unionized public sector has already been frozen for multiple years....now we get another 2 years along with the unionized employees, tell me how that makes sense??? Non unionized has already sacrificed, but yet they are required to continue doing it for at least another 2 years!!! Way to go Dalton!!! How about cutting your wage (Dalton McGuinty) down to the national average and try it for a while
girlfriend 9/28/2012 8:18:05 PM ReportKeep the focus people. It doesn't matter who makes more or who was frozen first. What matters is the government thinks they are above the law. This affects everyone!!! We the people need to demand change, not fight with each other. They made the budget, they broke the budget and they still want to increase the MPP's wages 25%. We are being robbed of our rights. What are we going to do about this????
catmom 9/29/2012 10:55:20 AM ReportGirlfriend,you said it!!! We need to stop fighting each other and arguing about who works harder and deserves more pay. This provincial government needs to be stopped.
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