Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Weeks into bargaining and the union representing more than 14,500 professionals in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) says progress has been slow with engagement on the Employer side minimal.
AMAPCEO’s OPS Bargaining Team highlighted that, despite strong evidence of its efficacy, the OPS Employer has been particularly reticent to even discuss substantive improvements to access to hybrid work.
Hybrid work—a balance of in-office and remote work—is being embraced by employers in the public and private sector alike for its increased productivity, lower operational costs, and the ability to retain and recruit a talented workforce, among other positives to employers. For employees, it encourages a better work-life balance, allows for access to affordable housing outside the Toronto core, and improved long-term health outcomes, among others. Communities benefit from less highway congestion and pollution, and a lesser burden on transit infrastructure.
Increased access to hybrid work is a priority for AMAPCEO members.
Starting April 4, more AMAPCEO members will begin to return to workplaces across the province, and the union says it will use this opportunity to demonstrate its strength.
“We have many more bargaining dates scheduled in April,” AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer said. “But the OPS Employer needs to see that we want fairness and we want flexibility. We’ll be calling on all of our members to help show them our conviction.”
The union is encouraging members to continue to take action to show their support of their bargaining team and join one of the two telephone town halls next week.
AMAPCEO has also planned some in-workplace actions for the weeks ahead, targeting key buildings and expanding from there.
The current collective agreement for the union’s 14,500 professionals in the OPS expires March 31, 2022.
