Provincial Women’s Committee (PWC) invites applications for the 2021 Women’s Conference
This year’s conference will be held virtually on Monday, October 18 and Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
The theme, “I AM MORE THAN,” will build on our 2019 conference and will highlight and connect the various ways in which we are “more than” what is visible.
This Conference will focus on the strength and resilience of women. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the many ways in which women contribute in all aspects of our society. We will showcase skills, strengths, attributes, and talents that are not always recognized, celebrated or encouraged.
Our goal is to present a thought-provoking roster of speakers, panel discussions, artists and performers who will give their insights and knowledge.
Do not miss this opportunity to network, learn, share experiences and have some fun.
Please submit your application no later than midnight, September 24, 2021. You can apply directly by logging onto OPSEU’s member portal. Only online applications will be accepted for this event. We will be applying the criteria as set out in questions 1-9 of the application form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
View the tentative conference program, and for any additional requirements, please contact the Equity Unit directly at provincialwomensconference@opseu.org
Labour Day message from Warren (Smokey) Thomas and Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida
Each year, on the first Monday of September, we celebrate the achievements of workers and the powerful movement we have built together, as we commemorate Labour Day.
Throughout history, from the eight-hour work day to employment insurance and parental leave, it has been workers who have fought for, and achieved Canada’s greatest social policies, and all in the name of solidarity, equity, and progress.
In these COVID times, we have our work cut out for us in the fight to build a better Ontario. Fortunately, workers know how to achieve it.
Frequently Asked Questions about mandatory vaccinations
With the fourth wave of the COVID-19 crisis upon us, many employers in Ontario have been developing workplace policies calling for mandatory vaccines and testing. The Ford government has also announced a vaccine passport will be brought in this month.
As members continue to navigate these challenging times and, in many cases, plan their own return to the traditional workplace, they have asked OPSEU/SEFPO about these policies, and their impact on workers’ personal health choices and working conditions.
OPSEU has answered some of the most commonly-asked questions and answers about mandatory vaccinations. Read more
OPSEU/SEFPO committed to healthy and safe workplaces
OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board has discussed and debated these issues thoroughly and feels the best way to protect the union’s members and the public is to follow the advice of public health experts, protect personal privacy, and promote healthy and safe workplaces while defending members’ rights.
The Executive Board is committed to following public health advice, as directed by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. The Board believes this is our best chance to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep workers safe. The Executive Board reaffirmed its support for personal health choices and the protection of people’s personal medical information.
In addition, OPSEU/SEFPO will continue to defend its members, and advocate for appropriate PPE and effective policies to ensure their health and safety.
Part-time Support Staff new contract has been ratified.
Thank you all who have voted, as members across 24 public colleges overwhelmingly approved a new three-year collective agreement.
“Our college system can’t begin to operate without part-time support staff,” noted OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They’re an indispensable component of the college system.”
Part-time college support staff had been without a contract since February 1, 2021, and the deal provides for a one per cent annual wage increase – the maximum allowed under Bill 124 – and carries important job-security measures.
PT Members – have you voted yet?
The virtual ratification vote of the new agreement is taking place until August 17. A link to your ballot with your unique elector ID and password has been sent to your work email in the days preceding the opening of the ballot. The tentative deal comes with important job security gains, and your bargaining team is proud to recommend acceptance of this tentative agreement. Make sure you take the opportunity to vote.
If you have any questions, please contact Karoline at ptunitsteward@opseu241.ca
A tentative agreement has been reached for Part-Time College Support.
Join us for the telephone town hall
OPSEU/SEFPO is hosting a telephone town hall on Tuesday, August 10 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. All CAAT-S PT members are encouraged to attend.
If OPSEU/SEFPO has your up-to-date personal phone number, you’ll receive a call roughly 10 to 15 minutes before the town hall starts. Just stay on the line, and you’ll be connected. You can also dial the meeting directly: call 1-877-229-8493 and enter ID Code 112847.
When is the virtual ratification vote?
The virtual ratification vote will take place from August 13 to 17. It will be supervised and administered by the Ontario Labour Relations Board using Simply Voting. A link to your ballot with your unique elector ID and password will be sent to your work email in the days preceding the opening of the ballot.
Attend the Regional meeting August 11 from 12 to 1:30 p.m
OPSEU/SEFPO is organizing virtual information meetings in each of the union’s seven regions for members to attend and learn more about the deal. Register in advance
The agreement features a number of gains that will build greater employment stability and security, while laying a solid foundation for future wins. The agreement runs from February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2024. Some of the highlights of the tentative agreement include:
Wages: One per cent increases in each of the three years, retroactive to February 1, 2021
Probation: The probationary period will be reduced from 936 hours to 742 hours
Recall: The recall list will be increased from nine to 12 months
Layoff meetings: The college will give notice to the local when it has decided to lay off 50 per cent of the regular part-time employees or 15 regular part-time employees, whichever is greater, in a four-week period.
Read the full memorandum of settlement
Read the full bargaining bulletin
Scholarships available to dependants
Do you have a dependent enrolled at a Canadian university, college or publicly funded, publicly run post-secondary institution in Ontario for the 2021-22 fall/winter term?
There are a variety of scholarships available to dependants of OPSEU/SEFPO members in good standing.
The deadline to apply is fast approaching. Click here to see a full description, eligibility criteria and a copy of the application forms for each OPSEU/SEFPO scholarship.
Region 2 – July education
OPSEU Region 2 is hosting virtual educational sessions via Zoom in July. All members are welcome to apply.
New Activists/Stewards Orientation
This 6-hour course provides new stewards with the tools to create a profile of the diverse members the steward represents, and an understanding of the questions to pursue after the course.
Participants will receive a basic orientation to the role of stewards and other LEC members, and will develop an understanding of the structure of OPSEU. Information about key union resources will be provided, as well as options for resolving workplace issues, including the steps of the grievance process and common labour terms and vocabulary.
Saturday July 24, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
or
Tuesday July 20 and Thursday July 22, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Duty to Accommodate
This online session focuses on the Duty to Accommodate around the Ontario Human Rights Code and the 17 prohibited grounds identified in human rights legislation. It also covers the rights of employers, employees and the Union and their roles in fulfilling accommodation requests.
Complete with a case study, the course explores the theme that sometimes in order to treat people equally and fairly means they have to be treated differently from others. It also emphasizes that employers must reasonably accommodate employees who fall into the groups protected by human rights legislation.
Wednesday July 21, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
or
Wednesday July 28, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
The registration deadline is Monday, July 12
Please see the attached form, and if you have any questions please contact Susan at ftunitsteward@opseu241.ca
OPSEU/SEFPO Part-Time College Support bargaining team reaches tentative agreement
After negotiating improvements to their contract, the bargaining team representing OPSEU/SEFPO part-time college support workers has obtained a tentative agreement.
The tentative agreement was reached late on June 25 after a 12-hour session. The previous contract for the roughly 16,000 part-time support workers at the province’s 24 community colleges expired on Jan. 31, 2021.
Details of the tentative agreement will be released when OPSEU/SEFPO’s members in part-time college support have had a chance to review. The date of the ratification vote will be announced soon.
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About Local 241
OPSEU Local 241 proudly represents all Support Staff at Mohawk College, including part-time and student employees.
Local Stewards are volunteers who offer confidential, one-on-one support to our members to help navigate life in the workplace and exercise our rights as workers. Need assistance? Contact us.