Toronto, ON — OPSEU/SEFPO has sent its latest contract offer to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). The OPSEU union represents safety inspectors at the TSSA and made the decision to strike on July 21 after contract negotiations broke down. As a result, 170 safety inspectors walked off the job.
Following the opening of the Canadian National Exhibit (CNE), the OPSEU expressed deep concern over the safety of the event. JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO president, addressed these concerns stating, “Our safety inspectors are worried sick about the safety of this year’s CNE. We all want a safe Ontario and a safe CNE – we want this strike to end. But the only way forward is to talk it out. Our safety inspectors are more than willing to do that, and with this offer, the ball is now in the TSSA’s court to get us there.”
As a result, OPSEU reached out to the TSSA through the conciliation officer with an offer that addresses core concerns. On Aug. 19, OPSEU stated, “We remain committed to engaging in meaningful bargaining. We have put forward an offer to the TSSA in good faith. We are doing everything we can to try to reach a fair settlement, so we can get back on the job and do the work we are passionate about.”
So far, the TSSA has not released a statement regarding the latest contract response. More information to come.