ADVISORY: Campaign to Stop Tim Hudak Comes to Ottawa With Monday's Urgent All Union Meeting

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 24, 2014) - A province-wide campaign launched last month against Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak will be rolling into Ottawa with an urgent all-union meeting on Monday, March 24. Calling Hudak's claim that he has shelved his anti-worker scheme a dishonest tactical maneuver, Ontario's labour movement is forging ahead with plans to travel the province and expose Hudak's hidden agenda.

"Mr. Hudak's entire platform is centred on dismantling the labour movement to clear the way for a low-wage economy," said OFL President Sid Ryan. "He isn't fooling anyone. No matter how he tries to massage his message, Tim Hudak is still committed to the same extremist policies that would divide our workplaces, weaken workers' voices and drive down wages for everyone."

The Ontario Federation of Labour and regional labour councils across the province are currently planning upwards of 20 regional meetings to train workers to educate their colleagues, families and neighbours about Hudak's hidden agenda. Hundreds have packed meeting halls at each of the previous campaign stops and the Ottawa meeting is expected to draw similar numbers.

While the meeting itself is closed to reporters, photo opportunities will be provided and a media conference will be held immediately preceding the meeting to address questions about the campaign. Interviews will also be available with participants at the meeting.

"Hudak wants to force workers in the Ottawa Region to compete with workers in low-wage jurisdictions in a race to the bottom, so he wants to eliminate the workplace rights that stand in the way of his plan," said Sean McKenny, President of the Ottawa and District Labour Council. "We are going to bring this message to every union member and especially members who have voted for the Conservatives in the past to say 'not this time, Mr. Hudak.' We will be telling our co-workers, friends and neighbours exactly what a Hudak government has in store."

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow the OFL on Facebook and Twitter: @OFLabour.