Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Convention

Greetings Sisters and Brothers,

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) will be holding their 12th Biennial Convention from November 24 through 29, 2013 in Toronto.

The Convention will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen Street West. For more information please visit the OFL webpage: 
http://ofl.ca/index.php/convention-2013/

Please note that PSAC will be holding a caucus meeting in Sheraton Hall B on Sunday, November 24, 2013 between 7 pm and 9 pm. Light refreshments will be provided during the caucus.

The OFL Convention will commence with registration and pre-convention orientation on Sunday, November 24, 2013 and will officially begin at 9:30 am on Monday, November 25.

The theme of the Convention is Rising Together! - a reflection on the past accomplishments of the labour movement.

Below are resolutions PSAC has put forward to the OFL Convention.

 
In Solidarity,
Sharon DeSousa
REVP, Ontario
Public Service Alliance of Canada 

PSAC Resolutions to OFL Convention

Protection of Public Services and Social Programs

Because the Harper Conservative government has drastically cut the budgets of all departments in the public sector through an austerity agenda;

Because the loss of thousands of public sector workers has impacted services, regulation enforcement and public safety;

Because restrictions and changes have been made to fundamental social programs, which affect their quality, accessibility and delivery, such as Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, Healthcare funding, etc.;

Therefore be it resolved that the OFL develop and implement a comprehensive campaign to highlight the impact of the federal austerity agenda in Ontario.

Bill C-4

Because the Conservative federal government has tabled an omnibus Bill C-4, which includes provisions that radically limit the collective bargaining rights of federal public sector workers;

Because Bill C-4 includes changes that weaken the Canada Labour Code’s health and safety protections;

Because Bill C-4 limits the ability of federal public sector workers to strike and to challenge discrimination;

Because the public sector has long led the way in bargaining for the labour movement;

Therefore be it resolved that the OFL work with PSAC to organize against the passing of Bill C-4.

Therefore be it further resolved that the OFL oppose the Harper government’s attempt to force a biased interest arbitration system on public service workers;

Therefore be it further resolved that the OFL call on opposition MPs to work together against Bill C-4 and its limitations on workers rights.

Peoples’ Social Forum

Because the Harper Conservative government continues to attack the labour movement, charities, NGO’s and other progressive organizations;

Because the attack is also supported by right wing think tanks, groups and employer organizations;

Because labour, community groups and other progressive organizations must work together in order to successfully challenge this threat;

Therefore be it resolved the OFL endorse and actively participate in the Peoples’ Social Forum in 2014.