Your bargaining committee at TVO has run into a major stumbling block with TVO management and we will need a show of your support to get past it. We’re organizing a strike vote for February 20 because we feel it’s necessary for us to demonstrate our collective resolve to get a fair deal.

When we originally began this round of negotiations, back in 2006, we knew that improvements were needed to the way TVO management approaches major changes in the organization. We were in the midst of the “Strategic Agenda” ? a planning process that was all but confined to the executive offices but made significant changes to our work. We believed it would be better for the organization as a whole, and certainly better for employee morale, if management consulted formally with employees and the union before embarking unilaterally on major changes.

We therefore made a proposal that TVO management consult with the union *before* making decisions to change the way we work. We believe that employees who do the work every day have valuable contributions to make when it comes to the betterment of the organization.

We thought it was a no-brainer. However, to our profound disappointment, we discovered this week ? in the presence of a provincial conciliator ? that TVO has no interest in consulting with employees. The management side does not even want to discuss our proposal.

TVO management is also resisting fair rules in the event of layoff and recall and meaningful ways to address work-life balance issues.

Something has to give. Many of us already feel we are drifting in a rudderless ship, that TVO has lost its way. Instead of an organization wracked by fear of employee involvement, we seek a commitment that management will include employees in decision-making by asking our opinions and considering our concerns. Our skills and abilities must be recognized during times of change.

We wholeheartedly believe in the provincial broadcaster and what it represents to the people of Ontario. We believe it’s time to open up the lines of communication and enable employees to participate fully in creating a bright future for TVO. We are asking for your vote of confidence in negotiations.

Please plan to attend an information session and strike vote on Wednesday February 20, any time between 12 noon and 6 pm in Room 1401 (2200 Yonge St.). We will be on hand to answer your questions and provide you with more information.

Your bargaining committee:
Carol Burtin Fripp
David Hawkins
George Pyron
Dan Oldfield, Senior Staff Representative, CMG