Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Thank you to the more than 3,000 AMAPCEO members in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) who joined us by phone or online for today’s telephone town hall. You had lots of excellent questions and justifiable concerns, and I wish there had been more time to answer or address them all.
I just got off the phone with senior management at the Treasury Board Secretariat and fellow OPS bargaining agents. I wanted to share some progress with you.
We have successfully convinced the Employer to delay this next phase of the Graduated Return to OPS Workplaces (GROW) plan. If you are working remotely, the very earliest that you will be asked to return to the workplace will now be Monday, October 18.
If you are currently working remotely and wish to return to the workplace, you may do so of your own accord, starting Monday, September 13, provided you consult with your manager.
This delay will allow the Employer more time to get their plan right.
While the Employer has decided a return to the workplace is necessary, the most critical element is to ensure your health and safety are protected.
We have also successfully convinced the Employer to engage AMAPCEO, and the other unions that represent employees in the OPS, in a formal consultation so that we can better shape the GROW plan and its specifics.
We want to ensure our members’ interests are protected and we will continue to fight to ensure the plan is as cautious, flexible, and safe as possible. I will continue to advocate that the GROW plan not proceed until we are reassured of that.
Until then, we continue to update the COVID-19 information page on our website. It includes answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.
If you have a need for a formal health or family status accommodation, please contact an AMAPCEO Workplace Advisor as soon as you are able. You can find the Workplace Advisor for your Ministry or agency on our website.
Be well and stay safe.
Stronger together,
Dave Bulmer
President & CEO