OPSEU’s annual awards for local newsletters were announced and presented October 15 at the OPSEU Editors’ Weekend.

Judges Thomas Walkom, a writer for the Toronto Star, and Debbie Wilson, a free-lance illustrator, cartoonist and designer, judged the entries from union locals.

The presentation was made at the awards banquet, attended by about 50 local editors, OPSEU President Leah Casselman, First Vice-President/Treasurer Len Hupet and workshop facilitators.

And the winners were:

Best design: Category A: The Guardian, Local 737 Category B: The Collective Voice, Local 438 Category C: Local Lines, Local 415

Best original photo: Unfettered, Local 558

Best original cartoon: Local Lines, Local 415

Best original illustration: Unfettered, Local 558

Best local website: www.achilles.net/~opseu415/ Local 415

Best feature: Category A: Shining Path, Local 460 Category C: Unfettered, Local 558

Best editorial: Category A: Shining Path, Local 460 Category B: Union Talk, Local 479 Category C: News Break, Local 562

Best News Coverage: Category B: Union Talk, Local 479 Category C: The Clarion, Local 436

Rookie of the year: Category A: Razor Wire, Local 642 Category B: Quovis Modo, Local 582

Most improved: Category B: Union Talk, Local 479

Best overall: Category B: Union Talk, Local 479 Category C. Unfettered, Local 558

Best strike/bargaining communication: Category A: Shining Path, Local 460 Category B: Quovis Modo, Local 582

Members of Local 641 Intergarin Communtaire Cochrane Community Living have been on strike since Sept. 27.

These 36 members are asking for respect from their employer. Their 100 per cent strike vote is a mark of their determination and their confidence in their leadership.

"The members have won all 55 of the grievances they have filed which obviously demonstrates the type of employer they have to deal with," said developmental services sector chair Bev Toivonen.

She urged members and locals to support the striking members of Local 641. You can send messages of support and financial contributions to the local:

Attention: Lindsay Law
c/o OPSEU Regional Office
Unit 11 – 425 Algonquin Blvd. E.
Timmins, ONTARIO
P4N 1B5

Please make your cheques payable to Local 641 Cochrane Community Living.

Three veterans and two new faces were elected to the editorial board of In Solidarity, OPSEU’s quarterly newsletter for union stewards and activists.

Returning to the editorial board are Laurie Chapman of Local 323 in Orillia, Len Mason of Local 737 in Thunder Bay and Gavin Anderson of Local 460 in Kingston. Newcomers are Vern Silver of Local 670 in Sault Ste. Marie and Larry Farr of Local 559 in Toronto.

Laurie, Len and Vern work in the Ontario Public Service. Larry comes from the community college support staff sector, and Gavin is drawn from the Broader Public Service.

All five produce local publications in addition to their work on the central magazine.