TORONTO – Leah Casselman has been re-elected president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union for a record sixth time.
Delegates to OPSEU’s 30th annual Convention in Toronto elected Casselman over Bob Eaton, a probation officer from Prescott, and Richard Larcher, a probation and parole officer from Sudbury.
Casselman, first elected president April 28, 1995, told delegates that Premier Dalton McGuinty “claims to hold public services dear” but seems to be suffering from “amnesia.”
“My message to the members is let’s go out and make sure we are out there talking about who we are and the important work we do,” she said. “We must talk about our public service work with pride.”
Warren (Smokey) Thomas was elected for a third term as the union’s First Vice-President/Treasurer, defeating John O’Brien of Thunder Bay and Ron Elliot of London.
Looking forward, Casselman called for OPSEU members to work together to reform Ontario’s labour laws. “If were going to grow and have voices to stand with us, we need labour law change,” she said. “Working people deserve rights and laws to protect them.”
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For information:
David Cox (416) 788-9197
