TORONTO – A union representing more than 11,000 employees in the Ontario public service says it’s now in the position to stage job actions and workplace disruptions.
The Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario says its members voted 94 per cent in favour of the actions.
The union says government negotiators are demanding major reductions to health benefits, retiree benefits, sick pay, disability benefits and a four-year wage freeze.
President Gary Gannage says he feels Kathleen Wynne’s government has “declared war” on the union’s members and their families.
Meanwhile, the government said it was “optimistic” it could reach a collective agreement that’s “fair and equitable” to both its employees and the public, while also being in line with the government’s fiscal plan.
The strike vote comes a few weeks after the Liberal government announced plans to freeze the salaries of MPPs until 2019.
The Liberals face an $11.7-billion deficit, and freezing the pay of politicians and their non-unionized political staff is seen by some as the government’s way of leading by example in reducing government spending.
The union says its goal remains to “negotiate in good faith.”
“Our back is to the wall and we’re fighting back,” Gannage said Thursday. “The government needs to know that public sector employees can’t be bullied.”
Minister of Government Services John Milloy said the Liberals respected the collective bargaining process.
“Our goal is to secure an agreement that is both fair to public servants and accountable to the people we serve,” he said in a statement. “It is inappropriate to discuss specific issues that will be negotiated at the table.”
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