Daily Updates
Day 2 - April 18, 2008
Brought to you by the OPSEU In Solidarity Editorial
Committee.
Who we are: Laurie Sabourin, Local 368, Karrie Ouchas,
Local 340, Moira Cowan, Local 105, Edwin Mercurio, Local 526 and Felicia
Metcalfe-Fahey, Local 681. Ex-officio members are: James Tocker, Executive
Board Liaison and Don Ford, OPSEU Communications.
Smokey and Patty open the 2008 annual
Convention:
“There is real power in our union”
Following an amazing opening performance by Sharon Riley and the
Faith Chorale, Canada’s premiere gospel troupe, President Warren “Smokey”
Thomas introduced Reverend Michael Blair who performed the invocation for this
year’s convention. Brother Thomas then introduced Toronto Councillor Paula
Fletcher who welcomed OPSEU members to Toronto. John Cartwright, President of
the Toronto and York Region Labour Council and Brother Yosief Ogbasellaise from
UNITE HERE (Hotel Workers) Local 75 also extended greetings to the members.
Thomas began his address by passionately thanking each and every
person in the room. New delegates attending their first convention were
recognized as well as the members, the staff, and his family.
Thomas spoke about this year’s annual convention theme, “It’s a
New Day” by stating, “This is a celebration of what we have done and what we
will do.” The theme “It’s a New Day” also has international involvement for our
union in such causes as the Live and Let Live Fund. Thomas said he was honoured
at being elected President of this great union and gave credit to his many
advisors, friends and fellow union leaders for their guidance, advice and most
importantly, friendship.
“It has become a priority for this union in the next year, with
over 90,000 members entering into bargaining, to do everything possible to
ensure Premier McGuinty lives up to his campaign promise of ‘Rebuilding Public
Services,’” Thomas told the convention members. “The union’s intention is to
ensure that there are good jobs being made available for those losing their
jobs, ensuring the labour movement continues to move forward and that we make
Ontario a better place to live for everyone.”
“We have had some major gains in the last year and everyone
involved should be proud,” Thomas continued, referring to the developmental
services gains and the college part-timer campaign successes. “Last year, I made
the promise that I will do what needs to be done. I have, I am and I will
continue to do what needs to be done. There is real power in our union.”
Patty Rout, 1st Vice-President/Treasurer, summarized the
successes OPSEU experienced in 2007 and future goals in the 2008 and forward.
Talking about the “Perfect Storm, Perfect Opportunity” bargaining situation,
Sister Patty stated, “You are the perfect solution,” referring to all members
within OPSEU.
Choir inspires a new day
The clock struck 9:00 am. Convention floor was buzzing with good
morning hellos. People were mingling from table to table. A steady pulsing
heartbeat could be heard in the background, growing faster. A voice came over
the loudspeaker, welcoming us to OPSEU 2008 convention, telling us it is “A New
Day”. The doors behind the stage opened. In walked Sharon Riley and the Faith
Chorale, singing the song “A New Day,” a song made popular by Canadian singer,
Celine Dion. Playing behind on the screens around the room were slides of our
union from region to region, each sector and city with our logo strong and true.
Smokey thanked the choir and shared with attendees the
inspirational story of Sharon Riley and the Faith Chorale. Riley was in a car
accident in 1990 that left her unable to walk. During her recovery, she joined
this group and together they helped her find the strength to walk again, find a
purpose and start a new day. Their story is an inspiration to stand strong and
together in our beliefs. Together and as a union, we can accomplish feats
against all odds.
Sharon Riley and the Faith Chorale are a Grammy winning
Toronto-based choir with the distinction of being the first Canadian gospel
group with an international recording contract.
Budget passed in record time
In a record 11 minutes of debate, the 2008 budget was passed on
Day 1 of Convention.
This was a good news budget. Patty Rout, 1st President/Treasurer
announced that the Executive Board made a decision to pay off the mortgage for
OPSEU Head Office and that the line of credit has also been paid down.
This year’s budget also included funding for additional
staffing, savings in legal costs with the hiring of additional grievance
officers and education costs increases.
Debate about the budget focused mainly on the line of credit and
the details of the strike fund.
Team OPSEU makes its debut
On Day 1 of Convention, Team OPSEU made its debut.
On behalf of OPSEU Enterprises, Executive Board Members Mandy
Dumais and Lynn Orzel presented to President Smokey Thomas and 1st
Vice-President/Treasurer Patty Rout the first Team OPSEU merchandise, which
included hats and jackets. Team OPSEU was created to promote togetherness within
our union, especially with up to 90,000 members going into bargaining. As a
union we stand together, we move forward together, we are a team together and
this is a great way to show our solidarity as a union.
OPSEU locals pledge support for the children of South Africa
In response to a moving presentation provided by Tom Potter,
Fundraiser for the Umduni and Vulamehio HIV Aids Association (UVHAA), Convention
attendees have generously donated more than $50,000 to the organization. OPSEU
Head Office has matched the pledges.
UVHAA helps children stricken with or impacted by HIV and Aids
in rural Africa. The project began in 2004.
In his speech, Potter urged OPSEU leaders to respond to the
problem afflicting the South African children. Potter met President Smokey
Thomas last month in South Africa. He said the conditions in the African country
are stark, with more than 3,000 orphans in dire need of assistance. “Children
are the future. There’s an urgent need to extend the assistance as more and more
children are dying of HIV/AIDs on a daily basis,” he said.
Potter was moved by the OPSEU’s generosity and show of
solidarity. OPSEU’s help and financial assistance will help bring access to
basic health care services, income-generating opportunities and training
community volunteers and members in health and nutrition projects.
Social Justice Fund Silent Auction
Sandra Snider, Chair of Social Justice Fund
As you approach the bottom of the escalator you will notice rows
of tables with items from around the world. Items include moose hide mitts made
by a member at the northern airport in Fort Hope; an autographed Ottawa Senators
jersey; award-winning Niagara wines; and items from Africa and El Salvador. The
Kenora Community Association for Community Living donated a painting by a client
involved in their art program. Many other items, too numerous to mention were
also donated by OPSEU locals, regions and members.
They are all up for auction. Make your bid and keep an eye on it
throughout the day. The auction closes at 5 pm Friday, April 18. The winning
bidders will be notified and items can be collected Saturday morning.
All proceeds will go to the OPSEU Social Justice Fund. The Fund
supports exchanges, direct funding to development projects in education, health,
water and combating poverty and emergency and humanitarian aid to those most in
need in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. We thank all our donors
and ask for your support as we assist those most in need in this world so full
of inequity.
New delegates the lifeblood of OPSEU
Approximately 100 new delegates attended a seminar to learn
about the processes at convention, wide-eyed and full of questions. Grant
MacGillivary, OPSEU’s Rules of Order Advisor, chaired the seminar. Discussed
were parliamentary procedures and Roberts Rules of Order.
Smokey Thomas, OPSEU President, addressed the new delegates.
“OPSEU is a member-driven union,” he said. Brother Smokey spoke about the
various events at Convention. He shared his personal experience as a first-time
convention delegate, of how nervous and shaken he was stepping up to the
microphone.
Presentations from the Credentials and Resolutions Committees
were also made.
Leslie Amaral, Local 105, a young worker new to working within a
union shop said, “I found (the new delegate seminar) to be a very informative
session and I am looking forward to hitting convention floor tomorrow.”
Albert Shmon, from Local 378 said, “I have a lot to learn and
remember.” He was looking forward to using his new found knowledge at this and
future OPSEU Conventions.
Solidarity Cookbooks Available
Visit the Social Justice booth, located in the main hall at the
bottom of the escalators, to purchase your copy of the Solidarity Cookbook. The
cost for each book is $10. In its second print, supplies are limited. Proceeds
go to the Ontario HIV/AIDS network.
Who is here?
Delegates 841
Alternates 421
Observers 176
Retirees 6
EBMs 21
Committees 42
Solidarity Guests 15
Guests 17
Total 1539
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Convention 2008 Index
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