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.

1996

• In 1996 the OPS strikes for the first time on February 26 with 60,000 people on the picket lines.  The tentative agreement was signed March 29, with members returning to work April 1.

•  For the first time, in February, the OPS strikes. The five-week walkout by 55,000 members achieves language around “reasonable efforts” in the contracting out of OPS work to mitigate the loss of successor rights. In the following years, OPSEU pushes the language to the limits to save thousands of jobs and to ensure that contracted out work is well paid. The strike is probably the first major one where cell phones play a key role, keeping 2,000 picket lines in touch with each other and allowing staff to assess what is happening across the province on an hourly basis. The union publishes a daily strike bulletin, Picket Lines.

• The OPSEU website is launched to help with mobilizing and communications during the strike.

• The Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award goes to Craig Kielburger, a teenage activist fighting for children's rights around the world.

• In September, OPSEU's own staff strike for a second time. The strike lasts 3.5 weeks.

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