The document discusses security upgrades at the Milner office of MPAC that included installing a seven-foot tall enclosed security turnstile without consulting employees. It is questioned if this will be enough security. Additional entrance security is planned. The document also discusses a new "Synergism" initiative at MPAC that led to assessors wearing blue vests with the MPAC logo to promote visibility, and surveying employees for their opinions on the vests. Charity donations from jean days are also mentioned. An "urban legend" about an assessor being mistaken for a drug cartel member is discussed as possible reasoning for the vest program. Contact information is provided for OPSEU leadership members responsible for different MPAC offices.

1. ImpacT News for OPSEU members at MPAC
from your leadership team
Volume 12, Issue 1 • May 3, 2012
Security
upgrades
at Milner:
Up to the task?
The installation of a seven-foot high,
completely enclosed security turnstile at the
Milner office is leaving many members
wondering whether the employer has taken
it far enough.
Following an incident at the office,
management there has spent countless
thousands of dollars installing the barrier,
which rivals the security entrances of most
bank vaults. All of this was done without
ever consulting the members in the
workplace.
But…are they really certain this is
adequate?
Sure, this is a non-public access building.
Clients never visit there. In fact, the address
of this building doesn’t even appear on any
of MPAC’s public listings. Virtually the only
people who know that Milner exists are the
employees working there.
But you can never be too careful.
Rumour has it that additional entrance
security will soon be put in place, and we
have obtained a photo for proposed
entrance reconstruction.
We think it compliments the new
ambiance nicely.
ImpacT • May 3, 2012 • Page 1

2. Soon we’ll be rolling back assessments!
Synergism!! thoughts on the vests. Go to http://
It’s the new mantra at MPAC, and www.surveymonkey.com/s/BV6FM72 and
management’s “Synergism Sessions” tell us how you feel.
promise to lead us in bold, innovating On a final note, there is another definition
directions never contemplated before. We of “synergy” that may better explain the vest
are all virtually tingling at what this could project – “The cooperative action of two or
produce for us. more stimuli or drugs.” But we digress.
Synergism is based on the word
“synergy,” which means “the interaction of
elements that when combined produce a
total effect that is greater than the sum of
the individual elements, contributions, etc.”
This is heady stuff!
So imagine our delight at one of the first
creations from the synergism sessions: the
MPAC Vest!!
This 100-day pilot project at four offices
will drape a blue, one-size-fits-all smock
over top of assessors, to make them “more
visible” in the community. Complete with
photo and “MPAC” lettering, our fearless
assessors will spend additional time with
clients, mostly trying to convince them they
don’t work for Wal-Mart.
We plan to suggest to the employer that,
to generate additional revenue, they could
perhaps sell advertising on the vests to
make them even snazzier. Heck – it works
for NASCAR.
Since MPAC is so big on doing surveys,
we are doing our own survey to get your
‘Jeans Day’ continues for charity
As part of MPAC’s United Way their proceeds to “Design Points North”, a
campaign, staff are allowed to wear jeans charity assisting the native community in
on Fridays and donate money for the Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario. OPSEU
privilege. MPAC has allowed this initiative to Head Office also supports this charity.
continue throughout the year, and each For more information, contact Tina
office can choose a charity to donate the Faibish at the Yonge St. office.
money to.
If you are looking for a worthy charity,
Local 552 at 5255 Yonge Street is donating
ImpacT • May 3, 2012 • Page 2

3. Verifying an “urban legend”?
Stories are circulating that the vest to the vests to prevent any re-occurrences
project is the result of an unfortunate (or just plain occurrences) of this event.
incident that took place somewhere, at
some time.
Apparently an assessor from some office,
somewhere, was knocking on a door to
conduct an assessment when he (or she)
was tackled from behind by police who
were in the middle of a drug sting operation.
The situation was only resolved when the
assessor (who will be eventually nominated
for this year’s “Bad Timing Award”)
identified themself as a humble public
service worker and not a member of a local
cartel.
Hence, the need for the vests.
We are continuing to investigate when,
where and with who this situation occurred.
So far, we haven’t had much luck. But in the
meantime, we are suggesting a modification
Stay in touch!
To ensure a speedy response to your questions, your leadership team has divided up all MPAC offices in
the province. If you have a question or a comment, please contact the team member responsible for your
office. Contact us by e-mail at work or at home, as follows:
David Lynch, Chair: Bracebridge, London, David Fong: North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie,
Mississauga, Ottawa, Barrie, Brockville, Cornwall, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Kenora, Fort Francis &
Pembroke, Trenton, Bancroft & Kingston Dryden
E-mail: opseu409@yahoo.ca; david.lynch@mpac.ca E-mail: visor243@nt.net; david.fong@mpac.ca
Peter McClenaghan, Vice Chair: St. Catharines, Steve Kovacs: Milner (CCC, CPF, LPU), Owen
Goderich, Chatham, Sarnia, Windsor, Kitchener & Sound, Hamilton & Parry Sound
Brantford E-Mail: stevekovie@hotmail.com;
E-mail: pmcclenaghan2020@yahoo.com ; steve.kovacs@mpac.ca
peter.mcclenaghan@mpac.ca
Everett Kelly: Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Mirla Alvarado-Fenn, OPSEU Staff Negotiator
Toronto & Peterborough E-mail: malvarado@opseu.org
E-mail: evkelly@rogers.com; everett.kelly@mpac.ca
OPSEU ImpacT is produced by the Property Assessment Division of the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union and authorized for distribution by Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president.
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
100 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3P8 www.opseu.org
ImpacT • May 3, 2012 • Page 3