April 20th, Day 2

Brought to you by the OPSEU In Solidarity Editorial Committee
Who we are: Len Mason, Local 737; Laurie Sabourin, Local 368; Larry Farr, Local 559; Karrie Ouchas, Local 340; Mandy Dumais, Local 680. Ex-officio members are: James Tocker, Executive Board Liaison and Don Ford, OPSEU Communications.

Casselman bids Farewell

Leah Casselman, OPSEU’s outgoing president, delivered her final address to the members at the opening ceremonies of the 2007 OPSEU Annual Convention.

Leah began by calling OPSEU, “The greatest union in Ontario. The most diverse, and the most active.”

The new official logo was presented to the convention. Leah explained that it represents the Ontario trillium, sheltered and protected by the lines representing the members, and the public services they do for people of Ontario.

She told the convention that OPSEU has come a long way. But to do the business of the members effectively, we need to do more.

The union’s continued mandate is to serve the members in the best way possible, but there are other things that must be done. Casselman said, “We can – and we must – do more. As public service workers, it’s inherent in the very work we do.”

Casselman addressed many of the campaigns that made significant changes for the members during her tenure as the longest standing president of OPSEU. She outlined the issues and campaigns the union will continue to undertake such as Ontario Can Do Better, the minimum wage campaign and providing support to Fair Vote Ontario.

Casselman welcomed all the new members that have joined OPSEU and those members that voted to remain with the union when mergers and transfers took place.

Leah concluded her final address by emphasizing, “More than any other union, we are diverse, we are member-driven, we are democratic, and we are open. Our democratic process is second to none.”

“Now you are the ones who will be taking this union forward. When I look at the quality of leadership here today, I know I am leaving this union in good hands.”

Budget Passes in Record Time

In what may have been the shortest budget debate ever, with only one amendment, delegates passed the 2007 Budget. That amendment was an $800,000 increase to the grievance line.  Delegates wanted to send a message that OPSEU is a union that will go the distance to fight for its members.

A good news budget compared to the past few years, OPSEU members can expect our line of credit to be paid down within the year.  In the budget Q & A session, OPSEU Administrator, Sandy Vanderwerff joked with attendees that OPSEU experienced “several days in the black.”

The quick turnaround on the budget is in stark contrast to previous years.  Budget debates have gone on for days, causing the Executive Board many late nights dealing with referrals.

Two Carried, One Defeated

Delegates defeated a motion to allow the “Local Time-Off Fund” to be used to replace wages for workers attending Local and Regional educations.

Electoral Reform was given the thumbs up and for OPSEU will endorse the fair voting system for Ontario proposed by the Citizen’s Assembly. OPSEU will also campaign for a 50 per cent plus one referendum result in favour of electoral change on Election Day, October 10, 2007.

OPSEU will now include psychological harassment as a prohibited ground in OPSEU’s Personal Harassment Policy and will lobby the Government of Ontario to enact legislation for employees at work similar to the Quebec policy. OPSEU will also lobby the Ministry of Labour to extend the definition of violence and psychological harassment.
 

Who is here?     

Delegates                     811

Alternates                     416

Observers                    205

Retirees                        7

EBMs                          21

Committees                  42

Solidarity Guests           14

Guests                          15

Total                           1531

Voting Delegates       881

Inspirational Kids Return to Raise Money for Cancer Research

For the second consecutive year, several young women are at the OPSEU Convention selling Lisa’s Beads to raise money for cancer research.

Lisa’s Beads was created by Taylor and Spencer McBride, who lost their mother to cancer in July 2003.  Haley Sanders, daughter of OPSEU member Leslie Sanders, joined Taylor and Spencer after her father was diagnosed with cancer several years ago.  He is currently in remission.

At the 2006 OPSEU Annual Convention, Lisa’s Beads raised $3,000.00 through the sales of their bracelets.  OPSEU matched this amount, bringing the total raised to $6,000.00.

This year, Lisa’s Beads has expanded their line to include anklets and necklaces.  Bracelets are $5.00 and anklets are $6.00.  Necklaces are available on order.

To purchase an item, you can visit Haley and her friends Jenna Wood and Isha Banerjee, from Lisa’s Beads, at the booth outside the Grand Ballroom. Help support these truly creative and inspirational young women for such a great cause

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Convention 2007 Index