This is a big year for OPSEU: It has been 100 years
since we were first established in 1911 as the CSAO. In celebration
of this centennial anniversary we are having the biggest Convention
ever.
Our membership has grown so much that we had to move
to a new location. Over 2000 OPSEU members, elected leadership and
solidarity guests are coming together for four days at the Metro
Toronto Convention Centre.
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath, a strong advocate
for the rights of working people, will be addressing Convention as a
guest speaker this year. I also want to extend a warm welcome to
visiting union leader and freedom fighter, Archie Sibeko, winner of
the 2011 Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award.
We will be celebrating with not one but two evenings
of entertainment. Look forward to major shows on Thursday and
Friday. There will be a music night as well as a comedy night, and
I can promise that you won’t want to miss the spectacular
performances we have planned.
Convention would not be Convention without a
solidarity rally -- and this year we’re doing it better than ever.
Show your OPSEU spirit at three different demonstrations: Following
yet another year of the government refusing to open the ballot boxes
and count the vote, we’ll be marching to 20 Bay Street, and taking
our protest straight to the employer on Thursday, April 7. On
Friday, there will be a noon Hospital Professionals Division rally
addressing the issue of wait times. Finally, on Saturday, I hope to
see you at the OFL rally demanding respect for our workers and
communities.
As you can see, we have a schedule packed with great
speakers and events. As always though, our Convention agenda has
lots of time for the important tasks like debates on union policies
and resolutions about campaigns to promote strong, well resourced
public services and safe, healthy communities.
It is time for OPSEU to celebrate another great year
and a full century of strength as Ontario’s union. See you at
Convention 2011!
