THUNDER BAY – According to Erin Smith from OPSEU Local 740, the protest outside a local MPP’s residence wasn’t in response to an incident where his truck made contact with a union member just a day prior.
“No, actually we had this planned for Friday,” Smith told Dougall Media while around 40 fellow Ontario Public Service Employees Union members held signs and waved the OPSEU flag on a road in Conmee, where Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP and cabinet member Kevin Holland resides.
“We organized it a week ago because our team is heading to Ford Fest in Toronto this Friday,” she explained, referring to the political event happening soon.
“So we’re calling this the Holland Heist. We originally scheduled it for Friday but couldn’t get a bus since all of them were booked due to several cruise lines coming into Thunder Bay. So we decided to move it to Wednesday instead.”
Why choose to picket at an MPP’s home rather than at his office?
“We’ve already been to his office,” Smith mentioned. “He doesn’t respond.”
“In my view, politicians come to our homes when they want something, so why not go to theirs when we need something?”
In light of the picketing in Conmee, Holland’s office released a statement saying “respectful democratic engagement should never involve intimidation tactics or threats at one’s personal home.”
The statement also clarified that the government is “not involved” in negotiations between Community Living Thunder Bay and OPSEU Local 740.
Additionally, his office noted that “our government is continually making historic investments in the development services sector, including nearly $4 billion this year.”
“As MPP, I am always available to work with and listen to all members of our community,” declared Holland’s statement, “and my office remains open for those who wish to engage in respectful dialogue.”
A pickup truck driven by Holland came into contact with an OPSEU picketer on Tuesday afternoon in Thunder Bay.
The city police mentioned via email on Wednesday that they are “looking into” the situation but no charges have been filed yet.
A union representative told Newswatch that Holland “was actually quite aggressive on the line” and nearly struck some picketers before hitting the right leg of an OPSEU member outside a restaurant on Hewitson Street.
Holland issued a statement regarding the incident saying he “listened to (picketers’) concerns and suggested that they contact my office” but claimed “they refused to let me leave.”
This statement was released Tuesday evening and concluded by stating he “remains open to respectful dialogue, and I will continue to work with, and listen to, all members of our community.”
An OPSEU member reached out via email to Newswatch asserting that part of this claim contradicts what she was told by Holland’s office.
The email sent to Stefanie Bourelly stated that Holland “is not allowed to meet with people and unions who are currently on strike or in negotiations.”
A spokesperson for Holland’s office clarified for Newswatch that while the MPP is willing to hear workers’ concerns through phone or email communication, he cannot respond until negotiations conclude.
OPSEU Local 740 members employed by Community Living are currently striking.
Union president J. P. Hornick shared earlier this month with Newswatch that the province’s Progressive Conservative government “has turned their backs on these workers.”
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