Public Service workers to rally at $1,550-a-plate Liberal 'Heritage' Fundraiser

TORONTO, March 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union will rally at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to demand the Liberal government stop wasting public tax dollars on privatization and outsourcing.

Date:	Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Time:	5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Location:	Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building,
	222 Bremner Ave., Toronto

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said that at the same time that the Wynne Liberals are slashing funding for much-needed public services, they are wasting billions on private sector contracts and spending billions more on corporate tax cuts.

"After years of austerity, Premier Kathleen Wynne is demanding that the public service accept more wage freezes, cutbacks and concessions," Thomas said. "While she does that, she invites her wealthy friends on Bay Street to show their appreciation at a $1,550-a-plate fundraising gala. Basically, the money she has handed out in tax cuts for big corporations is coming right back into the Liberal coffers."

Myles Magner, OPSEU's Vice-President of the Toronto region, said it's time that the people of Ontario demanded accountability and transparency in how their tax money is spent.

"Reports indicate that the Wynne government has either wasted or overspent more than $8.2 billion dollars on private contracts and corporations," Magner said. "Imagine what this province could do with that money. It's proven that public sector workers can deliver services cheaper, better and fairer than the private sector. If Wynne really wants to save public money and deliver public quality services, stopping privatization and outsourcing is the first place to start."

OPSEU represents 135,000 public sector workers across the province. Over 35,000 frontline Ministry employees who work directly for the Ontario government have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2014.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Warren (Smokey) Thomas: 613-329-1931; Myles Magner: 647-381-7977