NFA News

Hardeman concerned OPSEU strike could hurt abattoirs, beef farmers
The Tillsonburg News

Jeff Helsdon - Staff Writer
Wednesday May 25, 2005


Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman is concerned a potential provincial public sector strike could translate into more strife for already beleaguered beef farmers.
The province's meat inspectors are part of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and have not been designated essential. Without inspectors on site, any provincial meat processing plants will be shut down. That means beef farmers who are facing limited marketing opportunities with the closure of the border, will lose another one.
Hardeman is adamant agriculture minister Steve Peters should designate the inspectors as essential workers or put them in a separate bargaining unit.
“I think he's left farmers out in the cold,” Hardeman said. “If the strike starts the plant would have to shut down.”
Across the province, 16 meat inspectors have been designated as essential. But Hardeman understands the reduced work force's purpose in the event of a strike is to ensure the provincial abattoirs aren't operating, not to assist with meat inspection and keep the plants open. He was also concerned abattoir employees will be laid off if the plant isn't operating.
The last time there was a civil strike, in 1996, most of the province's meat processing plants were shut down. Some stayed open by having the killing – which is the part that requires inspection – done in federal plants and then cut up the meat in the provincial plant.
Hardeman doesn't see this as a good option if the strike occurs this time. He explained older cull animals, which have been slaughtered in provincial plants, aren't allowed in federally-inspected abattoirs if those plants ship to the United States. This is due to a ban on beef over 30 months not being allowed to be shipped to the States.
Although a strike is supposed to impact management – government in this potential case – Hardeman said the ones really being impacted will be abattoir owners and farmers. The ironic thing is the inspectors aren't even the ones doing the work, they are only ensuring it is performed properly.
“If they're not there, none of the meat can be processed without an inspector on site,” Hardeman said.
Following the last strike, the Conservatives privatized meat inspectors so they were no longer part of OPSEU. After the Liberals were elected, they brought meat inspectors back into the union.
Peters said negotiations, which are led by management board, are ongoing and he was confident an agreement will be reached.


by Jeff Helsdon - Tillsonburg News

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