Advisory: Campaign to stop Tim Hudak comes to Peterborough with Thursday's urgent all-union meeting

PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 2, 2014) - A province-wide campaign, launched last month against Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak, will be rolling into Peterborough with an urgent all-union meeting Thurs., April 3. 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 are planning upwards of 20 meetings to train workers to educate their colleagues, families and neighbours about Hudak's hidden agenda. The campaign launched in Durham with more than 300 workers, and meetings continue to be packed.

While the meeting itself is closed to reporters, photo opportunities and interviews can be arranged in advance. A media conference will also take place at 6:30 p.m.

"Hudak wants to force workers in the Peterborough 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 President of the Peterborough and District Labour Council Marion Burton. "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 OFL represents 54 unions and one million Ontario workers. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow the OFL on Facebook and Twitter: @OFLabour.