FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2001

Casselman elected to fourth term as OPSEU president

TORONTO – The Ontario Public Service Employees Union has re-elected Leah Casselman as its president for a record fourth term.

Casselman, first elected in 1995, defeated challengers Will Presley and Bob Eaton on the second ballot at the union’s annual convention Friday at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto.

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, a registered practical nurse at Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, was elected First Vice-President/Treasurer.

"This creates as strong team at the top to lead this union onward," said Casselman. "Together we are ready to take on every challenge that the Harris government can throw in our direction."

Both Casselman and Thomas were originally from the Ontario Public Service, but since the election of the Harris government both their workplace shave been divested to the Broader Public Service. In both cases, the staff voted to continue being represented by OPSEU in their dealings with the new employer.

It is the first time both top offices of the union have been held by non-OPS members.

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph – OPSEU communications – cell 416-561-5651

Convention 2001 Index Page