Ontario Government Launches Workplace Gateway Resource For Employers and Workers

Website Provides One-Stop Access To Information On Range of Workplace Topics

The Ontario government is launching a new website that bundles information to enhance workplace health and safety, employment standards and consumer protection.

"This is furthering the education and training of the whole community, particularly the employer community with respect to employment standards and occupational health and safety issues", said Labour Minister Chris Bentley. "It is a platform that we can build upon in the future to help businesses become more efficient and government more effective."

The Workplace Gateway (http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc/english/workplacegateway/index.htm) is a one-stop access point that combines links to a number of web-based resources for specific industry sectors like construction, restaurants, tourism, and bed and breakfasts. The construction link, for example, leads to detailed information on how to start a business or project, licences and trade qualifications, workplace health and safety laws, regulations and other topics. The Workplace Gateway can also be accessed through the Ministry of Labour's website at www.gov.on.ca/LAB/english/. Click on the Workplace Gateway button.

The Workplace Gateway outlines the responsibilities of both employers and workers under Ontario law to help ensure employment standards and workplace safety requirements are being met. The website also provides answers to frequently asked questions about health and safety, pay and benefits and other topics.

Hydro Ottawa On Strike

Four hundred Hydro Ottawa workers are in their fifth week on strike. As always it is unfortunate when Union members have to resort to a work stoppage to protect their rights, but it is clear that this employer had left our IBEW members no other choice. However, from the Union's perspective, at the heart of this matter are the issues of fairness security and respect, not just dollars.

These are just a few of the issues:

• Changes to working conditions that will have serious negative impacts to the employees.
• Cuts to the employees’ medical benefits.
• The company rejected a proposal that would provide job security to employees.
• The company also rejected a proposal that would prevent the transfer of an employee with a permanent disability (resulting from a work related injury) to a lower paid job.
• Hydro Ottawa has rejected a proposal that would assist and protect employees whose posi- tion was altered or eliminated due to technological change.

In addition, two weeks before last Christmas, Hydro Ottawa eliminated more than forty (40) positions in the bargaining unit but has increased the number of contractors doing work for the Utility.

Local Union 636 has over ninety (90) Collective Agreements in the Province of Ontario and more than half are with Municipalities or Electric Utilities. No other Utility has attacked their employees this way.

It appears that the memories of these employees who worked so diligently and professionally during the "Ice Storm of '98" have melted away.

Two Locals Assist with Donations

Congratulations to Local 773 for organizing manpower and tools to do the wiring for the Habitat for Humanity Build on September 16, 17 and 20. Twenty-two members of the Local took their time to give something back to the community.

Also, Local 1687 is to be congratulated for its donation to the Peterborough Disaster Fund as that community is still recovering from the severe flooding.