For Immediate Release
August 10, 2009     

MPP DUNLOP: STUDENT EMPLOYEES OF ONTARIO GOVERNMENT DESERVE FAIRNESS
MCGUINTY CHEATS STUDENTS OF THEIR VACATION AND HOLIDAY PAY

Orillia: Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop is calling on the Dalton McGuinty Government to treat all student employees of the Ontario Government with the fairness they deserve and expect.

About 3400 high school, college and university students are employed by the Ontario Government each year. Ads placed by the Ontario Government in the spring listed the hourly rate, plus 8.16 per cent in lieu of holidays and vacation pay. Now the McGuinty Government is denying the students the 8.16 per cent which will shortfall students between $400 and $600 each. That represents the equivalent of one month’s rent, 20 per cent of a semester’s tuition or the cost of text books for one semester.

“It is unbelievable that at a time when Dalton McGuinty can reward his friends with un-tendered contracts to write $25,000 speeches for E-Health executives, that Ontario Government students are being cheated out of their vacation and holiday pay,” said Dunlop. “These young men and women signed contracts in good faith based on the advertisements placed by the government and it is only fair that they be paid accordingly.”

Dunlop also indicated he plans to raise this issue in the Ontario Legislature in the fall.

-30 –

For more information contact:
Garfield Dunlop, MPP
705-327-4500 (cell)