President’s Message: Like MPPs, public servants work hard to serve Ontario–and deserve a fair deal

As I am sure you have seen, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario introduced and immediately passed legislation yesterday increasing MPPs’ annual salary to a minimum $157,350—a 35% increase since 2008, after which MPP salaries were frozen.

MPPs will also receive annual increases calculated according to the same formula used by federal MPs: an average of the across-the-board increases negotiated by large bargaining units in the private sector. 

Finally, this legislation establishes a new pension plan for MPPs that would be integrated with the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), to which most AMAPCEO members belong. They will contribute at the same rate as existing Plan members like you and me but, thanks to a “supplementary pension benefit” funded entirely by the government, they will receive a much larger pension. Simply put, the government will pay more than half of their pension.  

We all understand that MPPs work hard to serve the needs of their constituents and all of Ontario. They deserve compensation that reflects that – it's long overdue. 

The public servants responsible for planning, implementing, and sustaining government policies and programs do too.  

Since bargaining for our Ontario Public Service (OPS) unit began earlier this year, AMAPCEO has been clear that we are seeking a fair deal for our members, with a respectable wage increase. 

Yesterday’s legislation, and the speed with which it was passed, certainly suggest the provincial government sees their substantial ‘catch up’ increase and the assurances they have given themselves for the future as fair—because they believe public servants who work hard to serve the people of Ontario every day deserve respectful compensation.

We couldn’t agree more. All public servants deserve fair and respectful compensation—AMAPCEO members included.

Rest assured the government’s actions will be top of mind for our OPS Bargaining Team when we next meet the Employer at the negotiations table. In the meantime, I encourage all AMAPCEO members in the OPS to wear blue every Wednesday and take part in other upcoming bargaining actions—and to take pride in doing so.

The government was swift and united in securing a better deal for themselves. Let’s stand together and remind the Employer that we deserve fairness and respect too. 

Stronger together,