AGO set to reopen after month-long strike as workers and leaders reach contract agreement
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto is set to reopen to the public on 30 April, following a strike by workers that led to the museum’s closure. Members of Local 535 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) went on strike on 26 March after failed contract negotiations with museum administrators.
Following a 16-hour bargaining session, a tentative agreement was reached in the early hours of 25 April, which was later approved by 85% of voting members. The new contract includes an 11.4% wage increase retroactive to December 2021 for both full-time and part-time workers, along with improved benefits such as meal allowances and bereavement leave.
Paul Ayers, the president of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 535, expressed his appreciation for the workers’ dedication during the strike, stating that the relationships forged during the strike have made the union stronger. He also emphasized that this is just the beginning of their fight for better working conditions.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.