What's News
January 13, 2010
February 28 is International RSI Awareness Day - WHSC offers specially priced ergonomics training across Ontario
The Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) encourages you to join thousands of health and safety advocates around the world this February 28 to mark the 11th anniversary of International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day.
Eleven years ago a determined group of injured workers, suffering the debilitating effects of RSI or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), ignited a movement to raise awareness of these injuries, their causes and the need for both solutions and fair compensation.
Again this year a variety of events and learning opportunities across Ontario are focused on raising awareness and the need for workplace prevention measures. For our part the WHSC is offering training solutions.
The WHSC has scheduled two of its most popular and effective RSI training programs Ergonomics: Injuries, Risk Factors and Design Principles and Ergonomic Toolbox. These programs, which have been recently updated to include all important feedback from program participants, will be offered in communities across Ontario for a nominal fee of $20 per participant (plus GST), per program. Both programs also incorporate critical information on MSD prevention developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Council of Ontario and endorsed by the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
Programs are well attended. Register now to avoid disappointment.
Want to register now for a specially priced WHSC ergonomics training program?
Want to read the WHSC program descriptors?
- Ergonomics: Injuries, Risk Factors and Design Principles
- Ergonomic Toolbox
Want to learn more about RSI Day, other events, and related resources?
Want more information about WHSC health and safety training? Call 1-888-869-7950 and ask to speak to a training service representative or contact a WHSC near you.
8/14/09
“Surplus Factor 80” provision approved by Plan’s sponsors
Toronto (August 14, 2009) – OPSEU and the Government of Ontario have approved an amendment to the OPSEU Pension Plan extending the temporary “Surplus Factor 80” option for eligible members in the Ontario Public Service (OPS).
Surplus Factor 80 is an early retirement option that is available to eligible plan members who are permanently laid off. The provision allows affected members to qualify for an unreduced OPTrust pension if their age plus their credit in the Plan total 80 years or more by the time they leave their employment.
The plan amendment also enables employers and bargaining agents outside the OPS to negotiate agreements to provide a Surplus Factor 80 option to members in other bargaining units.
Surplus Factor 80 in the OPS
If you work in the OPS, you may qualify for the new Surplus Factor 80 provision, if:
* you are a member of the Plan and are covered by the Central Collective Agreement
* you receive a notice of layoff under the collective agreement before January 1, 2013, and
* your age plus your credit in the Plan equal 80 years or more before January 1, 2013, and on the date your employment ends.
The new Surplus Factor 80 reflects changes in the OPS collective agreement ratified by OPSEU and the Government of Ontario in early 2009. The provision applies retroactively to eligible members who received a notice of layoff before February 26, 2009.
For members who receive a layoff notice after February 25, 2009, there is one additional eligibility requirement. For these members to qualify, the employer must provide OPTrust with confirmation that the layoff is consistent with the new OPS collective agreement. Under Appendix 17 of the collective agreement, a laid-off member is eligible for Surplus Factor 80 only if the available options for reassignment or redeployment to a permanent vacancy have been exhausted.
The additional cost to the Plan for the extended Surplus Factor 80 provision will be paid by the Government of Ontario.
Surplus Factor 80 in non-OPS bargaining units
For members of other bargaining units, employers and OPSEU may negotiate an agreement to provide access to the Surplus Factor 80 option or other similar provisions. In these cases, the parties must notify OPTrust of the terms of any such agreement.
Pension bridging
Plan members who receive a notice of layoff may also be able to “bridge” to an unreduced pension.
Like the Surplus Factor 80, bridging requires special provisions in your collective agreement. These provisions allow laid-off members to use leaves of absence, the surplus notice period and the period represented by their severance payments to reach their eligibility date for an unreduced pension.
Eligible members can use bridging to qualify for a pension under the Plan’s Factor 90 (age + credit = 90 years) or 60/20 (age 60, 20 years of credit) early retirement options. Where the necessary agreements are in place, bridging can also be used to qualify for a pension under Surplus Factor 80.
Eligible members in the OPS can use bridging to qualify for Surplus Factor 80 as well as Factor 90 and 60/20.
For more information
If you receive a notice of layoff and think you may be eligible for Surplus Factor 80 or pension bridging, please contact your human resources representative and OPTrust for more information.
* Contact OPTrust Member and Pensioner Services
Surplus Factor 80 is an early retirement option that is available to eligible plan members who are permanently laid off. The provision allows affected members to qualify for an unreduced OPTrust pension if their age plus their credit in the Plan total 80 years or more by the time they leave their employment.
The plan amendment also enables employers and bargaining agents outside the OPS to negotiate agreements to provide a Surplus Factor 80 option to members in other bargaining units.
Surplus Factor 80 in the OPS
If you work in the OPS, you may qualify for the new Surplus Factor 80 provision, if:
* you are a member of the Plan and are covered by the Central Collective Agreement
* you receive a notice of layoff under the collective agreement before January 1, 2013, and
* your age plus your credit in the Plan equal 80 years or more before January 1, 2013, and on the date your employment ends.
The new Surplus Factor 80 reflects changes in the OPS collective agreement ratified by OPSEU and the Government of Ontario in early 2009. The provision applies retroactively to eligible members who received a notice of layoff before February 26, 2009.
For members who receive a layoff notice after February 25, 2009, there is one additional eligibility requirement. For these members to qualify, the employer must provide OPTrust with confirmation that the layoff is consistent with the new OPS collective agreement. Under Appendix 17 of the collective agreement, a laid-off member is eligible for Surplus Factor 80 only if the available options for reassignment or redeployment to a permanent vacancy have been exhausted.
The additional cost to the Plan for the extended Surplus Factor 80 provision will be paid by the Government of Ontario.
Surplus Factor 80 in non-OPS bargaining units
For members of other bargaining units, employers and OPSEU may negotiate an agreement to provide access to the Surplus Factor 80 option or other similar provisions. In these cases, the parties must notify OPTrust of the terms of any such agreement.
Pension bridging
Plan members who receive a notice of layoff may also be able to “bridge” to an unreduced pension.
Like the Surplus Factor 80, bridging requires special provisions in your collective agreement. These provisions allow laid-off members to use leaves of absence, the surplus notice period and the period represented by their severance payments to reach their eligibility date for an unreduced pension.
Eligible members can use bridging to qualify for a pension under the Plan’s Factor 90 (age + credit = 90 years) or 60/20 (age 60, 20 years of credit) early retirement options. Where the necessary agreements are in place, bridging can also be used to qualify for a pension under Surplus Factor 80.
Eligible members in the OPS can use bridging to qualify for Surplus Factor 80 as well as Factor 90 and 60/20.
For more information
If you receive a notice of layoff and think you may be eligible for Surplus Factor 80 or pension bridging, please contact your human resources representative and OPTrust for more information.
* Contact OPTrust Member and Pensioner Services
6/16/09
FIFA WORLD CUP
Brazil Beats Egypt 4:3
Way to go Brazil !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last-gasp Kaka sinks brave Egypt
A last-gasp Kaka penalty snatched Brazil a 4-3 victory over a courageous Egypt in an exhilarating Group B opener at Free State Stadium. Dunga's side carried a two-goal cushion in at the break, but a quick-fire double had the Pharaohs level until the former FIFA World Player's second goal of the game injury time.
It took Brazil just five minutes to break the deadlock. There appeared to be little danger when Daniel Alves's dink found Kaka inside a congested penalty area, but the No10 subtly tricked his way past two opponents before casually sliding the ball home.
Egypt responded swiftly, with Mohamed Aboutrika's right-wing cross being headed in by Mohamed Zidan, but they fell behind again on 12 minutes, when Luis Fabiano's head guided an Elano free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Elano and Juan both came close to doubling A Seleção's lead, before the latter did just that by heading home the former's corner in the 37th minute.
Egypt refused to submit to their more illustrious opponents, though, and scored twice in two minutes to restore parity, Mohamed Shawky's firm, low drive from the edge of the box preceding a 55th-minute strike from Zidan.
Both sides then had their chances, but the game appeared destined for a 3-3 draw. That was until goal-bound Lucio effort was handled on the line by Ahmed Al Muhamadi. The Egypitan defender was sent off, and Kaka coolly passed the ball into the bottom corner of Essam El Hadary's net to ensure Dunga's side made a wininng start to the defence of their crown.
Way to go Brazil !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last-gasp Kaka sinks brave Egypt
A last-gasp Kaka penalty snatched Brazil a 4-3 victory over a courageous Egypt in an exhilarating Group B opener at Free State Stadium. Dunga's side carried a two-goal cushion in at the break, but a quick-fire double had the Pharaohs level until the former FIFA World Player's second goal of the game injury time.
It took Brazil just five minutes to break the deadlock. There appeared to be little danger when Daniel Alves's dink found Kaka inside a congested penalty area, but the No10 subtly tricked his way past two opponents before casually sliding the ball home.
Egypt responded swiftly, with Mohamed Aboutrika's right-wing cross being headed in by Mohamed Zidan, but they fell behind again on 12 minutes, when Luis Fabiano's head guided an Elano free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Elano and Juan both came close to doubling A Seleção's lead, before the latter did just that by heading home the former's corner in the 37th minute.
Egypt refused to submit to their more illustrious opponents, though, and scored twice in two minutes to restore parity, Mohamed Shawky's firm, low drive from the edge of the box preceding a 55th-minute strike from Zidan.
Both sides then had their chances, but the game appeared destined for a 3-3 draw. That was until goal-bound Lucio effort was handled on the line by Ahmed Al Muhamadi. The Egypitan defender was sent off, and Kaka coolly passed the ball into the bottom corner of Essam El Hadary's net to ensure Dunga's side made a wininng start to the defence of their crown.
6/11/09
NDC LOCAL OHS Meeting 17 June 2009
Greetings all:
Here is my first attempt again at communication.
On Friday 19th June 2009 from 0700-1100 hours at the Niagara Detention Centre, the Local OHSC will be meeting.
I am formally requesting that any/all topics that need to be brought forward to the committee be submitted by Wednesday 17th June 2009 at 2100 hours to allow the worker representatives to review this information and/or concerns.
Thank you.
Freddy Sidler
Greetings all:
Here is my first attempt again at communication.
On Friday 19th June 2009 from 0700-1100 hours at the Niagara Detention Centre, the Local OHSC will be meeting.
I am formally requesting that any/all topics that need to be brought forward to the committee be submitted by Wednesday 17th June 2009 at 2100 hours to allow the worker representatives to review this information and/or concerns.
Thank you.
Freddy Sidler
5/27/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 27, 2009
OPSEU to McGuinty: Stop destroying Corrections
OTTAWA – Corrections members from across Ontario will converge in Ottawa tomorrow at a Liberal fundraiser to protest recent actions and inactions by the McGuinty government that are destroying labour relations in Correctional Services.
DATE: May 28, 2009
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Ontario Liberal Fundraiser
Crown Plaza
101 Lyon Street, Ottawa
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas wants the Premier to immediately intercede to come up with a joint plan to deal with overcrowding, safety and issues affecting the health of the staff on the front lines. “Representatives in the Corrections Ministry appear to have little interest in addressing the concerns of the people who actually run Corrections on a day-to-day basis. We want to work co-operatively and come up with solutions to the current problems.”
OPSEU Corrections Division Chair Eddy Almeida says that the situation in Ontario corrections is reaching a breaking point with respect to conditions.
“For years, the Ministry has been packing more and more inmates into too little space, and expecting the staff to cope with the extra work it takes to deal with this,” Almeida said. “Further, they have been enacting policies aimed at making it harder for staff to get time away from this stressful environment. This has to stop, and the Premier must take the lead.”
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For further information:
Don Ford, OPSEU Communications 416-788-9104
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