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possible strike at AGO
Guest
Not that the construction zone surrounding the AGO this summer is going to be very tourist friendly, but if this happens, they can pretty much kiss the summer dollars goodbye. it could be a big setback in terms of re-opening.
Possible strike at Art Gallery of Ontario could disrupt summer tourist season and delay gallery's "Transformation" project, OPSEU warns
TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - Unionized staff have voted almost 96 per cent in
favour of a possible strike at the Art Gallery of Ontario this summer, raising
the prospect of major disruptions at one of Toronto's top tourist attractions
and delays in the gallery's $250 million construction project.
"Our members didn't make this decision lightly," said Marcie Lawrence,
chair of the OPSEU Local 535 bargaining team and an AGO employee for almost
29 years. "But after six months of bargaining, we have made no real progress.
If the employer doesn't start negotiating seriously, a strike may be our only
option."
Job security is the key issue for the 266 full- and part-time AGO staff,
who are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Unionized
AGO workers include artists, assistant curators, conservators, designers,
preparators, educators, technical and maintenance workers, and visitor
services, retail and restaurant staff.
Since 2003, the AGO has eliminated more than 120 union positions. At the
same time, the gallery has launched an ambitious $250 million expansion
project called "Transformation AGO."
"AGO management is spending hundreds of millions on a new building, but
they are ignoring the staff whose work makes a visit to the gallery such a
rich experience," Lawrence said.
The union's demands include: alternatives to further layoffs as AGO
renovations proceed, recalling laid off employees before new staff are hired,
limits on contracting out and the use of temporary staff, a process for
converting part-time jobs to full-time, and improved job protection for
part-timers. Workers are also seeking a realistic wage settlement.
AGO management and the OPSEU bargaining team will meet with a provincial
conciliation officer on May 23, 26 and 29. If no agreement is reached, a legal
strike could take place starting in late June. OPSEU members have been without
a contract since November 2005.
"It's time for AGO management to recognize how serious the situation is
and start negotiating a fair collective agreement," Lawrence said.
Possible strike at Art Gallery of Ontario could disrupt summer tourist season and delay gallery's "Transformation" project, OPSEU warns
TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - Unionized staff have voted almost 96 per cent in
favour of a possible strike at the Art Gallery of Ontario this summer, raising
the prospect of major disruptions at one of Toronto's top tourist attractions
and delays in the gallery's $250 million construction project.
"Our members didn't make this decision lightly," said Marcie Lawrence,
chair of the OPSEU Local 535 bargaining team and an AGO employee for almost
29 years. "But after six months of bargaining, we have made no real progress.
If the employer doesn't start negotiating seriously, a strike may be our only
option."
Job security is the key issue for the 266 full- and part-time AGO staff,
who are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Unionized
AGO workers include artists, assistant curators, conservators, designers,
preparators, educators, technical and maintenance workers, and visitor
services, retail and restaurant staff.
Since 2003, the AGO has eliminated more than 120 union positions. At the
same time, the gallery has launched an ambitious $250 million expansion
project called "Transformation AGO."
"AGO management is spending hundreds of millions on a new building, but
they are ignoring the staff whose work makes a visit to the gallery such a
rich experience," Lawrence said.
The union's demands include: alternatives to further layoffs as AGO
renovations proceed, recalling laid off employees before new staff are hired,
limits on contracting out and the use of temporary staff, a process for
converting part-time jobs to full-time, and improved job protection for
part-timers. Workers are also seeking a realistic wage settlement.
AGO management and the OPSEU bargaining team will meet with a provincial
conciliation officer on May 23, 26 and 29. If no agreement is reached, a legal
strike could take place starting in late June. OPSEU members have been without
a contract since November 2005.
"It's time for AGO management to recognize how serious the situation is
and start negotiating a fair collective agreement," Lawrence said.