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Lawsuit over OPG collective agreement moves forward
August 28, 2014The Societys efforts to judicially review an arbitrators decision that set many of the terms of the OPG Locals 2013-2015 collective agreement are moving forward. The Society filed its legal arguments on June 30, 2014 andOPG replied in writing on August 15. The court will hear oral arguments from both sides beginning October 30, 2014. The ...
Read moreNew information management system to improve member services
August 28, 2014The Society is developing two new databases that will make it easier and cheaper to give members advice on their workplace issues. Staff Representative Greg Spencer and Tressa Alan, a summer student and soon-to-be labour lawyer who recently finished articling for law firm Cavalluzzo Hayes, are working together to build the databases on Microsofts Access platform. ...
Read moreLeech Report on pensions released
August 28, 2014The government released the report of special advisor Jim Leech on electricity sector pension plans on August 1. Mr. Leech examined the pension plans for employees of ESA, Hydro One, IESO and OPG. The Society, as well as other stakeholders, provided input into Mr. Leechs work, as indicated in updates to members earlier this year. The ...
Read moreStanding up for members: new arbitration decisions
August 28, 2014Two recent arbitration decisions have had an impact on Society members, one for good and another that shows how members collective agreements still have room for improvement. The Society was on the losing end of a decision about how Bruce Power conducts its selection process for a vacant job. The Societys position is that its members ...
Read moreLabour Day 2014
August 21, 2014Labour Day 2014 is just around the corner! This is a great time for Society members to come out and celebrate our successes this year and reflect on all the work left to do to build strong, fairer communities. Here is a list of Labour Day events Society members will attend. Please register to attend ...
Read moreSociety wins Bruce exclusion ruling
April 30, 2014Bruce Powers attempt to blur the line for excluding supervisors from The Societys bargaining unit was halted by an arbitrators decision released earlier this month. Under the Bruce Power Locals collective agreement, one of the criteria for determining if an employee can be excluded from the bargaining unit is the number of positions the employee supervises. ...
Read moreGade elected Bruce LVP
April 30, 2014Bruce Power members elected Unit Director Mike Gade their new LVP. Voting results for the by-election were released today with Gade receiving 539 of the 592 ballots cast. Having spent 24 years in nuclear at Ontario Hydro and Bruce Power, Gade hopes to build on the legacy of his predecessors. “The predecessors gave me what Ive ...
Read moreArbitrator upholds sick leave
April 30, 2014An arbitrator upheld a grievance last month against the OPG employer for unreasonably cutting off a members sick leave benefits. OPGs actions, arbitrator Kathleen ONeil found, caused the member significant mental distress. Given the employers reckless behaviour, Arbitrator ONeil took the rare step of ordering $5,000 in mental distress damages to the grievor. In finding for ...
Read moreOPG, Hydro One Review Announced
April 30, 2014A message from President Scott Travers Ontario Minister of Finance Charles Sousa announced the establishment of the Premiers Advisory Council on Government Assets on April 11th. The Council will review opportunities to maximize the potential of three key government agencies, including Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One. The Society was given an advance briefing on this announcement. ...
Read moreSociety marked Day of Mourning
April 30, 2014On April 28, Society members remembered workers injured and killed on the job, and vowed to fight for safer workplaces as part of the annual Day of Mourning. To mark the day, Society representatives delivered these remarks: Sisters, brothers and friends, I am honoured to be here today on behalf of The Society of United Professionals. On ...
Read moreThe Society @ CNA
March 26, 2014Tweet// The Society sent a strong delegation to last months 2014 Canadian Nuclear Association conference in Ottawa. Presenters offered keen insight into the issues facing the nuclear industry. Some of the topics covered were how to make common cause with environmentalists, international opportunities for Canadas nuclear industry, the future of small modular reactors, the evolving regulatory ...
Read moreOPA bargaining team elected
March 26, 2014Tweet// After joining The Society last November, the more than 200 new Ontario Power Authority members have elected their bargaining committee. Brian Young, Steve Norrie, Kathleen Wilson, Faisal Raza, William Elhallak and Todd Weirenga will represent the voices of OPA members. While no bargaining dates are set at this time, the team will undergo training from ...
Read moreWorkers’ Rights update: Don’t be fooled by Hudak
March 26, 2014Tweet// Last month, Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak tried to create the impression that he was distancing himself from the anti-worker policies that he has long advocated. But dont be fooled: Hudak hasnt changed at all. His policies still propose ripping apart pensions, diminishing wages, and stealing workers job security. The Societys Workers Rights campaign is ...
Read moreHydro One RFP update
March 26, 2014Tweet// More than a decade ago, Hydro One outsourced a number of functions, including IT and its call centres. The winning bidder was Inergi, which subcontracted some work to Vertex. With the current contract coming to its end, the government wanted to do a full request for proposals (RFP) process. Among the requirements included in the ...
Read morePension review update
March 26, 2014Tweet// Since first informing members of the Ministry of Finances energy sector pension review, The Society met with Jim Leech, the government-appointed reviewer. The review includes the pensions for members at ESA, Hydro One, IESO and OPG. The Society is concerned that the pension review comes in the context of an austerity agenda that takes aim ...
Read moreToronto Hydro sell-off debated
March 26, 2014Tweet// The future of Toronto Hydro is now the subject of debate in Torontos municipal election. On March 24, mayoralty candidate Karen Stintz announced that, if elected, she would seek to sell-off a majority share of the City of Torontos 100% ownership stake in Toronto Hydro. Stintz noted that she would first need to renegotiate the ...
Read moreWhy is Ontario cutting nurses and putting patient care at risk?
March 3, 2014The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) launched a campaign seeking an end to Ontario’s cuts to registered nurses. The campaign features a TV ad (above) and the web site morenurses.ca. “The Society strongly supports this campaign,” said President Scott Travers. “Nurses are critical to the health of the communities Society members live in, and ONA has been ...
Read morePensions update
February 5, 2014The Ministry of Finance announced in December that Jim Leech was appointed to prepare a report for the government on potential options for restructuring the pension plans in four broader public sector agencies: ESA, Hydro One, IESO and OPG. While The Society had not been anticipating the one-man review and recommendation process tasked to Mr. Leech, ...
Read moreOPA members looking toward first contract
February 3, 2014After voting to join The Society late last year, members at the Ontario Power Authority are gearing up to negotiate their first contract. With their first membership meeting last week, members at OPA will elect their bargaining committee in the near future.
Read moreLegal Aid lawyers building momentum
February 3, 2014Legal Aid Ontario lawyers campaign for recognition of their collective bargaining rights continues to build momentum. This winter, the Association of Justice Counsel called on the Wynne government to recognize Legal Aid lawyers collective bargaining rights. Canadian Civil Liberties Association Executive Director Sukanya Pillay also wrote a letter of support, telling Legal Aid Ontarios CEO, ...
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