OPSEU workers reach last-minute settlement with MPAC to avert strike

TORONTO, June 17, 2016 /CNW/ - OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has announced that the union's bargaining team reached a tentative settlement with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) shortly before 1 a.m. Details of the tentative agreement are still to be made public and no date has yet been set for a ratification vote.

"In a particularly challenging bargaining climate, our bargaining team stood firm on its demand for fair value for the work frontline staff do," said Thomas. "At the end of the day, the team reached a deal that protects the interests of OPSEU members."

Thomas also highlighted the importance of the strong support given to the bargaining team by members. "Despite a very difficult context, our members gave their bargaining team a strong strike vote and turned out in droves for the information pickets we held across the province. They sent their employer a loud, clear message that they were not willing to settle for anything less than what they deserved."

While an agreement was reached, Thomas noted that "there is still work to do" to improve the relationship between MPAC and its frontline employees.

"There is no MPAC without the work of our members," he said. "We'll keep doing everything we can to make management understand that."

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Craig Ashbourne, A/Communications Officer, 226-821-1725