Vaughan’s Tibollo backs bill to end power workers strike

The proposed amendments would prohibit and stop any strikes or lockouts between OPG and PWU

Yorkregion.com
December 18, 2018
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Vaughan-Woodridget Tory MPP Michael Tibollo says there is a “risk” of power outages in the province.

“People across Ontario need and deserve a reliable power supply, especially over the winter months,” Tibollo, who is currently serving as Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, said. “Right now, that’s at risk.”

He made his statement after the Ontario government announced Friday, Dec. 14 evening that MPPs will be recalled to the legislature on Monday to introduce a legalization “to ensure that power workers remain on the job.”

The government’s announcement also comes after Ontario Power Generation (OPG) received a 21-day strike notice from the Power Workers' Union (PWU).

So far, Ontario has introduced legislation to prevent large scale power outages in the province by quickly addressing the collective bargaining deadlock between Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Power Workers’ Union (PWU).

The proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Act, 1995 would prohibit and stop any strikes or lockouts between OPG and PWU for the current round of bargaining and send all matters in dispute to a mediator-arbitrator for a fair dispute resolution process.

OPG produces approximately 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity needs and operates nuclear, hydroelectric, thermal and one wind generating facility.

About 9,933 of OPG’s 11,100 staff are unionized. Also, PWU represents approximately 6,000 employees who work at all of OPG’s generating facilities, including technicians, trades people and nuclear operators.

PWU, which is seeking wage increases totalling to 6.6 per cent over the duration of a three-year contract, among other demands, hasn’t reached a collective agreement.