Strike for Safety! What are the TSSA workers fighting for?

Workers at Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Ontario safety inspectors, went on strike July 21, after their employer walked away from the bargaining table. These workers, members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) local 546, have been bargaining for a first contract since November 2021. 

They kicked off their strike at Canada’s Wonderland on July 21. It is a fitting location because TSSA workers inspect amusement park rides to insure they are safe. They also inspect elevators, fuel burning equipment, boilers and pressure valves, and nuclear plant equipment. Their work is vital to the safety of everyone in Ontario. 

In negotiations for a first contract, the employer has so far refused to even maintain the previous working conditions let alone engage the current concerns of these workers. For example, the employer wants to roll back overtime pay from 2x to 1.5x an hour. 

The employer has refused to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. Currently workers who have 20 years on the job have not reached the top of the wage grid. The employer has refused to agree to specifics around benefits and refused to acknowledge the flexible scheduling policy that is currently in place.

The workers are also concerned that public safety standards and their on-the-job safety is being compromised and they are demanding accountability. 

Instead of engaging these reasonable demands, the employer walked away from the table on Wednesday July 20. 

OPSEU has organized solidarity rally and pickets at multiple locations including the Toronto office of MPP, Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, responsible for TSSA oversight and calling on him to intervene in the standstill. 

To show your solidarity,  go to: https://opseu.org/strikeforsafety to find picket locations and other ways to support these workers.