Ontario government workers back on the job, but it’s hardly business as usual

TORONTO (May 6, 2002) — Ontario government workers returned to work this morning after ratifying a new contract to end a 54-day strike, although it’s hardly business as usual.

The action halted most public services across the province, including driver licensing, oversized/overweight vehicle permits, and vehicle registrations.

Katie FitzRandolph, spokesperson for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, told the Toronto Star it will take time for government services to return to normal.

“You’ve got 45,000 people going back to work after a 54-day absence, and they’re going to come back to work to stuff piled high on their desks — mail that’s been clogged in the system, computer systems that are probably a little on the wonky side because we’ve had tech people out as well,” she said.

For truckers and other drivers, the strike brought confusion and frustration as applications for permits and licences went unprocessed.

The Ontario government introduced a grace period for drivers whose licences expired March 13, 2002, or later. They now have until Aug. 2, 2002, to renew their documents.