1990s
During the decade, the union responds to new technology by changing its
communications with members. The union's central publication, OPSEU News, mailed
to all members, is downplayed in favour of the more instantaneous “Action Fax”
which is faxed to union workplaces, offices and members. More specialized
publications focus on the interests of specific groups of members. Toward the
end of the decade, the use of E-mail expands dramatically, as does the OPSEU
website.
1990
• OPSEU takes a strong role in the provincial election in
opposition to the Peterson Liberals. The NDP headed by Bob Rae is elected to
government in Ontario. Former OPSEU staff negotiator Frances Lankin holds a
series of key NDP cabinet posts.
• Fred Upshaw becomes the first black person to lead a major trade
union when he succeeds James Clancy, who becomes president of NUPGE. Upshaw goes
on to be re-elected twice.
• South African leader Nelson Mandela receives the Stanley Knowles
Humanitarian Award for his struggle against the evils of Apartheid
1991
• OPSEU negotiates a huge pay equity settlement for the Ontario Public
Service.
• The Lavigne decision finally comes down from the Supreme
Court vindicating OPSEU's strong stand as a social union, involved in a great
deal more than the bread-and-butter bargaining issues of its members.
• OPSEU adopts an employment equity policy, and becomes one of the first
unions to hire a human rights officer.
• About 80 members and staff participate in Toronto's Caribana parade dressed
as butterflies. The union also sponsors a band in the event.
• The annual Humanitarian Award is presented to Nelson Mandela, the
long-imprisoned leader of the African National Congress who becomes South
Africa's first post-apartheid prime minister.
1992
• OPSEU negotiates the creation of the OPSEU Pension Turst, giving OPS
members control over their pensions for the first time. The new pension plan is
jointly trusteed by the union and the government and members have input into how
pension surpluses are used and how the fund is invested. It is the culmination
of some 80 years of work.
• The convention establishes a Provincial Human Rights Committee, to parallel
the Provincial Women's Committee. Like it, it has authority to initiate
resolutions and constitutional amendments. Its mandate is to promote a wide
range of human rights throughout the union.
• Judy Rebick accepts the Humanitarian Award on behalf of the National Action
Committee on the Status of Women.
• OPSEU holds its first Editors' Weekend, a three day conference of skills
workshops, an awards banquet and other features to encourage local union
communications. It becomes an annual event.
• The union moves to a new head office at 100 Lesmill Road, designed and
built specifically for the union. The building wins the Governor General's Award
for architecture.
• The first conference for members in the Broader Public Service (the BPS)
draws 200 delegates to talk about their specific concerns. It's a recognition
that this sector of the union is growing dramatically and has its own issues.
1993
• The NDP passes amendments to CECBA giving the OPS the right to strike.
It also passes legislation protecting whistle-blowers, but this legislation is
never proclaimed. Amendments to the Public Service Act expand the political
rights of government workers dramatically. The NDP fails to pass amendments to
the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act to give part-timers in faculty and
support staff the right to organize.
• The first Provincial Human Rights Committee is elected, mirroring the
Provincial Women's Committee.
• In response to growing pressure to cut its deficit, the NDP government
imposes the Social Contract, which requires workers in the public sector to take
unpaid “Rae Days” (named for the premier, Bob Rae) off. The process of ripping
up union contracts is deeply divisive. Union members had not expected this kind
of attack from an NDP government.
• After a lengthy fight, which includes noon-hour protests at many hospitals
across the province [I'm picketing for pensions!], OPSEU and other hospital
unions get full involvement in their pension plan. The Hospitals of Ontario
Pension Plan (HOOPP) becomes a jointly trusteed plan, and OPSEU has a seat among
the trustees.
• Rigoberta Menchu, a leader of the fight for human rights among Guatemala's
indigenous population receives the Stanley Knowles Award. 1993 - 1994 • An
initiative called Building Powerful Locals emphasizes the training of local
leaders and the need for more autonomy at the local level to get more members
active in the union.
• OPSEU adopts “popular education” techniques in its education programs.
1994
• OPSEU starts publication of In Solidarity, a magazine for union stewards and
other leaders written, edited and organized by local union members. It's an
offshoot of Building Powerful Locals, and the editorial committee is elected at
the Editors' Weekend from among local union editors.
• The Stanley Knowles Award goes to Cesar Chavez, the long-time organizer of
California farm workers.
• After a 10-year fight, the CAAT Pension Plan is created, covering 15,000
members in the community colleges.
1995
• Faced with the announced closure of Thistletown Regional Centre, OPSEU launches a community campaign with support
from families. After three months' work, the decision is reversed. Thistletown
remains open, serving emotionally and behaviourally disturbed children and
adolescents.
• Leah Casselman is elected OPSEU president, the first woman to hold the
position, defeating three other candidates, including Fred Upshaw.
• Election of the Mike Harris Conservatives armed with their “Common Sense
Revolution” institutes huge cuts to public services and puts OPSEU on a
treadmill of reaction to an onslaught of attacks. The Conservatives speed up the
process of the Legislature so much it is impossible to react to all the
initiatives.
• With Bill 7, its new labour law, the Conservatives remove successor rights
from OPS members.
• Ontario black activist Bromley Armstrong receives the Humanitarian Award.
• The Ontario Federation of Labour organizes the first of a series of
community Days of Action which feature cross-picketing of workplaces by many
unions, large protest marches and rallies. They involve community and church
groups as well as unions, and are designed to show massive community opposition
to the harsh policies of the Harris government. The first one, in London, is
held Dec. 11 in bitter cold.
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