Finally, the recently established Local of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority is preparing to negotiate its first collective agreement. Although the TSSA was established by statute of the Government of Ontario, it is not subject to Bill 124. Local members meet regularly to define their negotiating priorities. OPG`s local`s efforts to negotiate a fair deal were hampered by Premier Doug Ford`s Bill 124, which limits wage increases to 1%, which is well below inflation. Despite this restriction on monetary issues, the union and management team held collective bargaining for 10 days, including a final meeting on September 24 that lasted until late into the night. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Local will start negotiations on the renewal of collective agreements on 1 November. Like OPG Local, IESO Local is also affected by Bill 124. IESO Local Vice President Martin Hastings said a bargaining survey will be distributed in the coming weeks to gather feedback from members on the company`s priorities for the next round of bargaining. While the company is challenging Bill 124 in court, the local is focusing on the non-monetary issues raised by members in the pre-bargaining survey. Topics the company is working on at the bargaining table include how the redeployment will work when the shutdown begins in Pickering, working from home, resolving issues related to the Clarington move, repatriating contract work currently performed by New Horizon System Solutions, and the level of outsourcing allowed in the company`s jurisdiction. The Society also seeks to improve the overall health benefits of members. In the meantime, the company is preparing to start negotiations with two other premises.
.