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Despite the government’s rhetoric that improved labour laws were “job killers,” Thomas pointed to the latest Statistics Canada data that shows employment in Ontario increased by 1.2 per cent since last October.
Toronto (23 Nov. 2018) — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) , says Premier Ford is turning Ontario’s government into a Super Bowl Halftime Con Show by turning back the clock on labour standards under Bill 47.
Uptick in employment numbers shows improved labour laws aren't job killers
“Enough with the charades, let’s start calling Ford and his gaggle by their real names,” said Thomas. “We can start with Todd Smith, the Minister of Private-Profit Development, Decent Job Destruction, and Ethical Trade-offs.”
Despite the government’s rhetoric that improved labour laws were “job killers,” Thomas pointed to the latest Statistics Canada data that shows employment in Ontario increased by 1.2 per cent since last October.
“This government doesn’t care about facts,” said Thomas. “The Conservatives came crashing in like a wrecking ball with their anti-worker agenda. They’re more interested in protecting bad employers than they are the people — but the jig is up. They’ve crossed a clear line by snatching money out of people’s pockets to pay off employers.”
After Finance Minister Vic Fedeli’s statement last week that the PC fiscal plan was “non-negotiable,” Thomas questioned why a government claiming to be for the people won’t actually listen to them.
“These guys have no shame, no heart and no brain,” said Thomas. “They’ve made it clear that it’s their way or the highway, no matter who they leave in the dust.”
Workers can't afford to get sick in Ontario
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer, was particularly incensed by Smith’s suggestion that workers had swindled sick time for last year’s Super Bowl.
“The people are struggling to get by,” said Almeida. “Now with flu season here, they can’t even afford to get sick in Doug Ford’s Ontario. We’ve got out of touch politicians like Todd Smith talking about the Super Bowl, while his government moves to make Ontario an alcohol free-for-all. It’s a whacky scheme, but that’s what happens when you let people like Todd Smith and Dean French call the shots in this province. We all get conned.”
“When it comes to decent jobs, Bill 148 actually moved the ball down the field,” said Thomas. “But these guys aren’t even playing by the rules of the game. They’ve turned government into the Super Bowl Halftime Con Show. It’s our job to change the channel on them, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”