OPSEU workers take to the pavement in "A day of action"

by Michael Erskine
MANITOULIN---Frustration was the most common emotion expressed by 
Ontario Public Service Employees Union medical professionals who work 
the Little Current Manitoulin Health Centre site, as they joined 
thousands of their compatriots across the province in an one day work 
action.
"This is strictly an information picket," said Denis Boyer, OPSEU 
staff representative for the Sudbury Manitoulin region. "We are 
helping out in an emergency."
Although some elective surgeries had to be rescheduled, there were no 
emergencies or critical surgical procedures affected by the work 
action, confirmed MHC CEO Jim Van Camp.
"To their credibility in the health field, they were available for 
non-elective medical procedures," he said. "At no point was any 
patient at risk. Staff were available should the need have arose."
The OPSEU workers, radiologists, physiotherapists, lab technicians 
and other medical professionals have been without a contract since 
last March. Their last contract contained a 'no strike' clause, and 
provincial legislation prevents them from taking to the streets in a 
legal strike.
"We prefer to characterize it as a 'day of action' to protest the 
staff shortages across the province," said OPSEU Communications 
Officer David Cox. "Our position is that our members have the right 
to freedom of expression about the extreme staff shortages."
The Ontario Hospital Association filed for a cease and desist order 
with the Ontario Labour Board, an action which Mr. Cox said OPSEU was 
challenging as being outside of the scope and mandate of the board.
As to whether there would be fines or any other penalty for the job 
action, nothing has happened as of press time.
"We have heard some threats," said Mr. Cox. "But that is all."
One of the key issues between OPSEU and the OHA was settled after the 
job action, both have agreed to one arbitration for all 40 hospitals 
affected by the contract.
Originally, six hospitals had been selected for the first round of 
arbitration talks and the OHA had indicated they wished to conduct a 
separate series of arbitrations for each institution.
"We are optimistic that this agreement will result in a timely 
resolution that will be acceptable to both parties," said OHA 
Vice-president Hilary Short. "The health care professionals covered 
by this arbitration play an important role in providing quality care 
to the people of Ontario."
In addition, the two parties have agreed to meet on March 6 or 7 with 
the Bendel Board of Arbitration to request the agreement be accepted.
There is still a gulf between the two sides on monetary issues and on 
the form of a final agreement.
"We have been fighting for one contract," said Mr. Cox. "As it is 
now, if you were to move from somewhere like Little Current to say, 
Sudbury, you might see a 25 percent rise in income. Who wouldn't?"
With a single contract across the province, there would be less 
competition between institutions, suggested Mr. Cox, bringing greater 
stability to the sector.
Members of OPSEU have seen an average of seven percent increase in 
wages since 1993, with most if not all of that increase in the last 
two years.
"Before that, they got nothing," he said.
Administrators and OPSEU workers find themselves in much the same 
position as teachers and school boards, trying to negotiate contracts 
while the funding is supplied by a third party, the provincial 
government.

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