Youth Leadership Development Award

Presented to: Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Remarks by Terry Downey, OFL Executive Vice-President

November 30, 2007

We all know that the future of the labour movement lies in the hands of our youth.

This is one of the reasons why the Ontario Federation of Labour has dedicated an award for those who have made outstanding contributions to the development of young leaders within our labour movement.

The recipient of this award is selected by the OFL’s Workers Under 30 Committee.

We all need to take our young people seriously. This means making space for workers under 30, not just at out local meetings, but in all aspects of our labour movement.

In 1997, the OFL adopted a motion to establish a committee for workers age 30 and under.

Since that time, we have made progress.

Many OFL affiliates now have youth committees and leadership positions dedicated to workers less than 30 years of age.

Many unions have permanent education and leadership programs tailored to the needs of their members under 30.

These are critical steps, and it is on this note that I am particularly honoured to pay tribute to an OFL affiliate that has made an outstanding contribution to the development of young leaders—the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

In 2001, the Ontario Public Service Empl9oyees Union established a Youth Caucus and within three years, OPSEU transformed the caucus into a permanent Provincial Young Workers Committee.

The results are clear: OPSEU had the highest number of youth delegates registered at this OFL convention.

In recognition of this outstanding commitment to developing young leadership, please join me in recognizing the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.