OPSEU President Thomas: Ottawa town hall will help make privatization an election issue

OTTAWA, March 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Long wait times at hospitals and for long-term care. Sky-high hydro rates. Dangerous highways. LRT construction delays.

These are just some of the consequences people living in the Ottawa Valley are suffering because of privatization. But during a special town hall meeting at the Nepean Sportsplex on Wednesday, March 28, people will hear what they can do to ensure privatization is an important issue in the upcoming provincial election.

When:	Wednesday, March 28, 7pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Where:	Nepean Sportsplex, Hall F, Entrance 2
Who:	Speakers will include OPSEU Regional Vice President Gareth Jones, CLC Executive Vice-President Donald LaFleur, Ottawa Health Coalition Co-Chair Albert Dupuis, Ottawa and District Labour Council Vice President Marlene Rivier, Local OPSEU leader Melissa Coenraad, and PIPSC DND National Consultation President Glenn Maxwell.

"We know a better Ontario is possible. But to get there, we have to send a clear message to our politicians: no more privatization," said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). "After nearly three decades of  secretive and short-sighted privatization schemes, the evidence is now crystal clear: privatization costs more and delivers less.

"The upcoming provincial election is a golden opportunity to tell all candidates that we demand stronger public services, not more privatization."

For more than a year, OPSEU has been fighting against privatization and for investment in quality public services with a campaign called We Own It.

"The idea is simple: the public service is something all Ontarians own. We built it. We paid for it. We own it," said Thomas. "Let's show all our politicians that we'll fight for our communities by fighting against privatization."

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931

Related Links

http://www.opseu.org