Contract talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the province are on hiatus leading to a fresh rally out front of the Chatham courthouse on Friday.
An exagerated costume of premier Kathleen Wynne was part of the demonstration along with union flags and protest signs. The costume, according to OPSEU executive board member Philip Shearer, is meant to drive home a point.
"Really for public image of why we're here, who we want to negotiate a fair collective agreement with us. People know who Kathleen [Wynne] is, know that she's our boss and she's part of where the message needs to come from," says Shearer, adding the union has seen positive public support. "They need public services, they need their hospitals, they need their jails. She needs to start listening, really, to the public and they're hoping that we can get the message to her."
OPSEU is being offered a four-year deal without pay increases from the province while the union has said it's not prepared to accept another wage freeze. The union's last contract expired December 31, 2014.
