General Membership Meeting
OPSEU Local 241 is hosting an online General Membership Meeting for all Support Staff members on Wednesday, September 27 at noon. Register for the GMM now.
We will be running elections for Local Officer positions (2-year terms) and delegates and alternates to the Full-Time Divisional Meeting (Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29). Read more about Local Elections and Positions. Nominations are now open!
As an added motivator, we will be conducting random draws for numerous gift cards among those who attended the meeting!
Call for new Stewards
Any member of Local 241 can volunteer as a Steward. Stewards meet once a month at the Local Executive Committee meeting. They help answer member questions and direct them to resources. The more Stewards we have, the better. They provide valuable insight into working conditions across the College. We are especially looking for Part-time members and representatives from the Stoney Creek campus to become Stewards.
Attendance is critical, as we need a certain number of members to proceed with the meeting. Both part-time and full-time staff are very strongly encouraged to attend.
We look forward to seeing you on September 27!
Let’s stand together in hope — not fear! List of No Space for Hate rallies across Ontario
In response to the planned protests today, Wednesday, Sept 20, by a coalition of anti-trans and far-right groups, a united front of parents’ groups, community allies, 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and labour organisations, including OPSEU/SEFPO, are taking part in “No Space for Hate in Ontario” rallies across Ontario.
Let’s show trans children and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community we stand with them against the rise of organised hate targeting them.
Everyone deserves to be who they are and feel safe and supported at school, work, or in their community.
So, let’s stand together on Wednesday with love, solidarity and hope in our hearts — not fear.
Here is the list of known and confirmed peaceful rallies in support of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities for September 20, 2023.
Faculty and Support Staff Welcome Back BBQ
Join the Faculty and Support Staff unions, Local 240 and 241, for a free barbecue to welcome our members back. Reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the college, and start the year off with some great food and solidarity.
Wednesday, September 13, 11:30 am to 1 pm
First floor gallery of the Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation
Fennell Campus.
We hope to see you there!
Labour Day 2023
This Labour Day, the Hamilton and District Labour Council will continue the traditional practice of having a parade followed by a picnic and gathering back at Bayfront Park on September 4.
The parade starts at 10:30 at Bay and Stuart, will travel up to York, down James then finish at Bayfront Park. The family-friendly picnic will be from 11:30 -2:30.
You can read all of the details on the HDLC website
Wearing blue to support bargaining
The Bargaining Team asked Full-Time members to wear blue on Thursday and Friday this week, and Tara showed her support for the bargaining team as they go back to the table with the CEC to negotiate our Bill 124 remedy!
Part-Time Bargaining Demand Vote & Workshops
Part-time collective agreement negotiations start this fall! We need part-timers to tell us their priorities and vote on them for the bargaining team. The time to take action is now.
Register to attend the online vote meeting on Wednesday, September 13, at 6 pm.
Submit your bargaining demands online and register for an online workshop. Learn about collective bargaining and discuss what’s important to you.
Evening online workshop – Tuesday, September 5, 6 pm to 7 pm.
Lunch-hour online workshop – Thursday, September 7, noon to 1 pm.
Bargaining Team Bill 124 negotiations
The Bargaining Team has agreed to go back to the table with the CEC to negotiate our Bill 124 remedy this Friday, August 25. Now is the time for local’s to really push College Presidents about the CEC coming to the table to negotiate a fair deal for Support Staff. The Bargaining Team is asking Full-Time members to wear Blue on Thursday and Friday this week to show their support for the Team. Watch your emails this coming weekend for details of what happened.
Pictures of your members wearing blue can be sent to: caatsftbargaining@opseu.org
If you want to use hashtags for social media we suggest: #BlueForCAATS #OPSEUSEFPO
Stop by every Wednesday in August!
We will be setting up a table near the Tim Hortons on Fennell Campus, starting August 2. Come by and meet your union Representatives!
Do you have a question that you have always wanted to ask? Discover the basics about union functions. Learn about the Part-time Collective Agreement bargaining and demand setting, and share your feedback. We want to hear from you!
When: Every Wednesday in August, 11 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Near Tim Hortons, C wing, Lower Level, Fennell Campus
Want to get in touch with us virtually? Submit a request to our Member Help Centre using your personal address, and we will be happy to answer you.
We hope to see you there!
Part-time members, join us for coffee and a chat!
Stop by Wednesday, July 19, for a casual chat and meet your union representatives and other members. We’ll be talking about the upcoming Part-Time Collective Agreement bargaining and demand setting and answer any questions that you may have.
When: July 17, 11 am – 1 pm
Where: Fennell Campus, Room i102
What: Coffee and Snacks
Please RSVP to the event so that we can be sure to have enough coffee on hand.
Feel free to share this message with your Part-Time Support coworkers. We’d love to see you there!
Wear blue on Tuesday July 11
We have some important updates to share regarding our ongoing negotiations with the College Employer Council (CEC).
As you may know, Bill 124, which capped our wages at 1%, was struck down as unconstitutional in November 2022. This development means that our re-opener clause is now in effect.
The CEC and our College of Applied Arts and Technology Support Full-Time (CAAT-S FT) Bargaining Team are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on July 11, 2023, along with our mediator, William Kaplan. Our team has been diligently preparing to negotiate a fairer agreement for all our members.
We are all deeply concerned about the rising cost of living and how it is becoming increasingly difficult to afford basic necessities. We understand that a 1% wage increase is not sufficient given the escalating costs of food and other basics like rent.
We also acknowledge that there is a need for better provisions for mental health support and the ability to step in and provide care for our families.
We have been loud and clear on the importance of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and the necessity to actively engage in Reconciliation with our Indigenous communities, and we are committed to addressing these issues in our negotiations.
So, how can we help our team negotiate a better wage re-opener deal?
Here are a few ways:
- Wear Blue on Tuesday July 11 to show support on campus, working from home, or on vacation.
- Send pictures of you and your co-workers to this email: caatsftbargaining@opseu.org
- Share pictures with your local president, and on social media with the hashtags #BlueForCAATS #OPSEUSEFPO
- Send a letter to your College President letting them know that you expect the Colleges to come to the table ready to negotiate a fair deal
