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“It is unconscionable that the TSSA is willing to compromise the public safety of all Ontarians rather than provide safety inspectors with fair working conditions." — JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President
Toronto (25 July 2022) — The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has forced 170 safety inspectors on strike on July 21, putting public safety at risk.
OPSEU/SEFPO/NUPGE members invaluable on the front line
The members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO/NUPGE) Local 546 have been bargaining for their first contract since November 2021, facing an employer who has stonewalled the negotiations process on multiple occasions. Talks broke down on Wednesday afternoon when the employer walked away from the bargaining table.
The workers inspect everything from amusement park rides, food trucks and elevators, to fuel burning equipment, boilers and pressure vessels and elements in nuclear power plants. TSSA safety inspectors also provide invaluable support to police and fire services.
“It is unconscionable that the TSSA is willing to compromise the public safety of all Ontarians rather than provide safety inspectors with fair working conditions,” said JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President.
Workers' demands focus on improving working conditions and improving public safety
“What these workers are asking for is reasonable. They want improved accountability for public safety standards and practices from the TSSA. They want wages and benefits consistent with industry standards, to help address understaffing issues and improve retention and recruitment. They want to have a stronger voice in their workplace as frontline experts in their field," said Hornick.
Strikers have already held 2 actions at Canada's Wonderland with TSSA members picketing to ask the public and stakeholders to demand that the TSSA get back to the bargaining table and bargain fairly with them to reach a deal. Actions will continue until a fair settlement can be reached. Follow https://twitter.com/TSSAOntario on Twitter and https://opseu.org/strikeforsafety/ on Facebook for upates.