June 3 is the province-wide day of action to say: “Enough is enough!”
Workers in Ontario have had enough.
- We’re fed up with low wages, sky-high rent, and bills we can’t afford
- We’re fed up with attacks on our health care system and crumbling public services.
- We’re fed up with the rich getting richer, while workers struggle to make ends meet.
When workers come together, we can win. That’s why, on June 3, we’re taking it to the streets.
Here’s how to get involved:
1. Find an action on Saturday June 3rd near you here
2. Join us for a sign making party at the Hamilton Regional Office-Thursday June 1st 5-7pm at 505 York Blvd.
3. Take part in the rally and march at Gore Park at noon on Saturday June 3rd province-wide day of action.
For more information check out Enough is Enough Day of Action-OFL
We need to step up and make our workplaces better, hope to see you there!
The 2023 Johnson Scholarship Program is now open
Johnson Insurance is proud to offer 50 scholarships, valued at $1000 each, to eligible students completing high school in 2023 and starting post-secondary education in the fall of 2023. Since Johnson Insurance is our preferred home and car insurance provider, any qualifying child/grandchild of an OPSEU 241 policy holder, member or employee, is eligible to apply.
For more information or to obtain full requirements and submission instructions, visit johnson.ca/scholarship.
Part Time Pre-Bargaining Conference Update
The recent pre-bargaining conference was a great success, as evidenced by the enthusiastic engagement of the delegates, alternates, and observers. Special guests included 1st Vice President Laurie Nancekivell, the Chairs of the CAAT-A and CAAT-S DivEx, a number of EBMS and, of course, our hardworking OPSEU staff who helped make the weekend fantastic.
The highlight of the conference was the successful election of a student and member to complete the 2020 (Bill 124 negotiations) Bargaining Team. The 2024 Bargaining Team was also elected, and the 2024 EERC. This was a significant achievement and bodes well for future negotiations.
With just under six months remaining until the final demand-setting conference, there is a concerted effort to engage as many part-time members as possible in the 24 colleges.
Overall, the conference was a resounding success and has provided a solid foundation for future bargaining.
To introduce the 2020 Bargaining Team that will complete Bill 124 negotiations:
Noor Askandar, Chair, L557
Duncan McFarlane, Vice Chair, L416
Doreen Follett, L416
Torsten Hamelin, L557
Dale Gartshore, L124
Mercy Ayesha Alohan-Eke, L561
Nicole Fera, L656
Along with 7 Alternates.
To introduce the 2024 Bargaining Team:
Duncan McFarlane, Chair, L416
Doreen Follett, Vice Chair, L416
Noor Askandar, L557
Torsten Hamelin, L557
Patricia Cooper, L563
Fatima Yusuf, L563
Aliza Kassam, L557
Along with 14 Alternates.
Last but not least, we introduce the 2024 Employee/Employer Relations Committee (EERC):
Dale Gartshore, Chair, L124
Doreen Follett, Vice Chair, L416
Torsten Hamelin, L557
Patricia Cooper, L563
Nicole Fera, L656
Along with 10 Alternates.
Full-time and Part-time Support Staff – May Town Hall
OPSEU Local 241 is hosting an Informational Town Hall meeting via Zoom for all Support Staff members on Wednesday, May 17, at noon.
We’re holding the Town Hall to inform new and old members on what the union is, what it can do for you, how it’s structured, who your Stewards are, what all the acronyms mean, and how to make a strong union overall.
We also want to take the time to answer your questions! Please submit any questions when registering, and we’ll be happy to answer them at the meeting.
Click here to RSVP. You must register with a non-Mohawk email address. We’d appreciate your questions and RSVP before Friday, May 12 at noon.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Faculty and Support Staff BBQ
Thank you to all that came out to the Faculty and Staff BBQ April 26. It was great seeing so many of you there, and a special thank you to our friends at Local 240, Mohawk College Faculty, for organizing the event!
The National Day of Mourning April 28
Marked annually in Canada on April 28, the National Day of Mourning is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy.
The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.
More than 100 countries, including Canada recognize the National Day of Mourning. But there is still a lot to accomplish in order to improve the safety of workers.
Watch and remember. Honour all the people who have died, been injured or suffered illness at work: https://youtu.be/O9c9BIBWEdw
Health Coalitions fight to stop the privatization of public hospitals.
Health Coalitions across Ontario launched a major fightback to stop the privatization of public hospitals on Tuesday, April 18.
The Coalition is mounting a community-run referendum. Health Coalitions are organizing voting stations outside grocery stores, local corner stores, coffee shops, at Legions and community centres and in every busy part of our communities that they can.
On Friday May 26 and Saturday May 27, they will be holding the referendum. More than a thousand voting stations will be open across Ontario. Leading in, throughout the month of May, online voting will be available on the main website PublicHospitalVote.ca and workplace votes will take place.
You can learn more at OntarioHealthCoalition.ca
Faculty and Support Staff BBQ
Our friends at Local 240, Mohawk College Faculty, are inviting Support Staff to come out to a free BBQ on Wednesday, April 26th, noon to 2pm, in the Joyce Gallery in front of Fennell Campus.
They’ll be serving burgers, hotdogs, salad, dessert, and a variety of drinks. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. There will be tents and seating, so the BBQ will occur rain or shine. All of our faculty and support staff colleagues are welcome to attend!
Please RSVP to the EventBrite so we can be sure to have enough food on hand.
The event link follows: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opseu-local-240-end-of-semester-bbq-tickets-617243661407
We hope to see you at the BBQ!
Celebrate International Day of Pink and share your photo!
International Day of Pink is on April 12, 2023, and we’re asking members to share photos of you and your friends, families and colleagues in pink on Wednesday with the hashtags #DayofPink and #OPSEU #SEFPO!
With the recent passage of transphobic laws in the US, and the rise in transphobia here in Canada, this is an important time to make it clear bullying and hate have no place in our communities.
The Day of Pink started in 2007 at a high school in Nova Scotia, and since then, it has grown into an international movement.
The International Day of Pink is an annual event for schools, workplaces, and communities to come together to celebrate diversity and raise awareness about ending homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of bullying.
Spread the word about the Day of Pink in your homes and workplaces, and encourage others to get involved.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the International Day of Pink this year.
Let’s stand united and in solidarity in our commitment to diversity, acceptance, allyship, and inclusion. Wear your Pink t-shirt on Wednesday, share a photo and let’s make a difference together!
Joint Union Management Award
This year, Mohawk College and OPSEU 240 + 241 rallied together to raise awareness and funds for local issues in support of United Way Halton & Hamilton.
We’re grateful to receive the Joint Union Management Award!
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About Local 241
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 241 proudly represents all Support Staff at Mohawk College.
Local Stewards and elected Officers are volunteers. We help our members navigate the unionized workplace and understand, exercise, and enforce our rights under the collective agreement.