MEDIA ADVISORY - Safety regulator TSSA walks away from the bargaining table: province-wide strike starts on July 21

TORONTO, July 20, 2022 /CNW/ - The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has forced 170 safety inspectors on strike as of 12:01am on July 21, putting public safety at risk.  

The members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 546 have been bargaining for their first contract since November 2021, facing an employer who has stonewalled the negotiations process on multiple occasions. Talks broke down on Wednesday afternoon when the TSSA walked away from the bargaining table.

The workers inspect everything from amusement park rides, food trucks and elevators, to fuel burning equipment, boilers and pressure vessels and elements in nuclear power plants. TSSA safety inspectors also provide invaluable support to police and fire services.

"It is unconscionable that the TSSA is willing to compromise the public safety of all Ontarians rather than provide safety inspectors with fair working conditions," said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick.

"What these workers are asking for is reasonable. They want improved accountability for public safety standards and practices from the TSSA. They want wages and benefits consistent with industry standards, to help address understaffing issues and improve retention and recruitment. They want to have a stronger voice in their workplace as frontline experts in their field."

The first strike action will be taking place near the entrance of Canada's Wonderland on July 21. OPSEU/SEFPO Local 546 TSSA members will be picketing to ask the public and stakeholders to demand that the TSSA get back to the bargaining table and bargain fairly with them to reach a deal.

Date:	Thursday, July 21, 2022
Time:	12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location:	Corner of Jane St. and Norwood Ave. (public sidewalk outside of Canada's
	Wonderland)

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)

Kelsea Mahabir, 647-528-2740, [email protected]