Ford in bed with business, won't save good GM jobs

TORONTO, Nov. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says Doug Ford has indeed made Ontario "open for business" ... to trample all over workers and kill good jobs.

Shrugging his shoulders at GM's callous plan to shutter a state-of-the-art Oshawa plant next year is yet another sign that Ford has no clue how to manage the province, Thomas said. He could care less that thousands of hard-working people will end up losing their jobs.

"This premier is in bed with business and this is how business behaves. Always putting profits ahead of people," said Thomas. "Ford couldn't organize a two-float parade, let alone run the province.  We need leadership that will stand up for working people."

GM is a successful company that has already posted $6 billion in profits so far this year, Thomas noted.

"Ontario was there in 2009 when GM needed a multibillion-dollar lifeline from taxpayers. Now it's turning its back on the people and Ford isn't lifting a finger to stop it," he said.

Contrast that with the premier's red-faced fury a few months ago when he vowed to do whatever it took ? including invoking the notwithstanding clause ? to settle a score with Toronto city council, said OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida.

"This is the bully who threatened to suspend constitutional rights to slash city hall and get even with his critics," he said. "But when GM tells him they're going to close shop and throw thousands of people out of work, he just rolls over. What are his priorities?"

With the Conservative government in shambles over its disastrous decision to scrap the office of Ontario's French-language Commissioner and abuse-of-power scandals breaking almost daily, it's clear that Ford's incompetence is dragging Ontario down.

"He can't run a party, never mind the province," Thomas said. "At least Ontario has strong unions who stand united to fight for good jobs, even if the premier won't."

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)