September 18, 1998

Dear sisters and brothers:

As some of you may know, the government is planning to privatize parking in 25 OPS locations. OPSEU members who previously parked for free at work will now have to pay. At one worksite, in Burlington, OPSEU members will be hit for 100 bucks a month.

OPSEU members are fighting back in at least two locations that I know of. Local 232 President Flo Hines (in Guelph), has taken the matter to the Central Employee Relations Committee. You can read all about the issue on Local 232's website at http://www.web.net/~opseu232/opseulocal232.htm.

Meanwhile, John O'Brien's local in Thunder Bay is starting a boycott of the government lot, urging members to park on the street to let potential private operators know that they can't depend on OPSEU members to be their voluntary cash cows.

OPSEU's point of view on this issue is that it is a change in working conditions. The employer did not buy this argument at the CERC, but that doesn't mean the story is over. You might as well call it a pay cut, because that is what it amounts to. Efforts to fight this on the ground can also help direct members' attention to supporting their OPS bargaining teams on monetary issues.

After Talking to Flo Hines and John O'Brien, we want to fan the flames a bit by communicating with members at all affected locations. At this point, I know where they are, but not who they are. That's where I need your help. I am looking for the local numbers for all OPSEU locals in government buildings at the following locations:

Location Address:
Aurora 800 Yonge St. S.
Barrie 144 Worsley St.
Brampton 7755-64 Hurontario St.
Burlington 1182-1160 N. Shore
Chatham Court House
Chatham 870 Richmond St.
Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital
London Psychiatric Hospital
London Robarts School
London ORC District Office
London Exeter Rd. Site VM
London 707 Exeter Rd.
London CPRI
London 823 Exeter Rd.
Milton 491 Steeles Ave
Newmarket 50 Eagle St. W
North Bay 360 Plouffe St.
Thunder Bay 435 South James St.
Thunder Bay 615 South James St.
Thunder Bay 1825-1805 Arthur St.
Toronto 1201 Wilson Ave. W
Toronto 171 Judson St.
Toronto 1001 Queen St. W
Toronto 111 Disco Rd
Toronto 51 Panorama Ct
Whitby Psychiatric Hospital

If you could get me the local numbers of the locals in each building served out of your region, that would be great.

In solidarity,

Randy
e-mail: rrobinson@opseu.org