‘We’re coming’ for a wage freeze, McGuinty warns public sector workers

WATERLOO, Ont. – Premier Dalton McGuinty says he’s coming after other public sector workers in his crusade to freeze pay to slay Ontario’s $15-billion deficit.

He says he won’t back down on his demand to freeze compensation as his government negotiates with civil servants whose collective agreements are about to expire.

McGuinty says the province may not be able to get a pay freeze through negotiation and is prepared to legislate it if need be.

The Liberals have already outraged some teachers by introducing a bill that would freeze their wages and cut benefits, such as bankable sick days.

The controversial legislation is likely to become law with the support of the Progressive Conservatives.

But Tory Peter Shurman says McGuinty needs to stop his grandstanding and get on with imposing a wage freeze on all public sector workers as soon as possible.