CAAT-S sets their demands – and the team is set to bargain
College full-time support delegates, alternates and observers met in-person and virtually at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto on April 30 to set their demands for the 2022 round of bargaining.
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell set the tone for the two-day meeting. The newly elected President delivered a rousing message that hit all the right notes with members who share so much with Hornick, a college faculty member.
Following speeches, bargaining team members took turns presenting slide deck information dealing with the demands submitted and the bargaining environment.
Delegates built the demand set, and, for ease of organization, the team condensed some 600 demand submissions into 46 recommendations grouped into 13 categories. Each category was debated and voted upon:
- wages
- benefits
- education
- health and safety
- holidays
- job postings
- job security
- layoff and recall
- leaves of absence
- other (new)
- union matters
- vacation
- working conditions
Next Steps:
- May 9-13: The team prepares bargaining proposals
- June 2: The teams submits its notice to bargain.
- Scheduled bargaining dates: June 13-16, July 18-22, August 8-12, August 22-September 2
- August 31: The collective agreement expires.
Read the full details here
Day of Mourning
The 28th of April is International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers organized worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reminds us that the National Day of Mourning, April 28, is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to renew the commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
Our May Day: Workers ARE the Recovery!
On May 1st, the working people of our community will gather in solidarity to strengthen our resolve to fight for working class people everywhere. Join the Mayday celebrations!
Sunday, May 1, 2022
1:00 pm to 4:00 PM
Gage Park, Hamilton
Messages from OPSEU/SEFPO’s new President and FVPT
The new president, JP Hornick, and the new First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell, have sent messages of greeting and gratitude to the unions’ membership.
From President JP Hornick’s message: A spark of hope for a brighter future.
“It is an absolute honour and privilege to be elected President of our great union. I don’t take the honour lightly, but I also believe that it’s not a solitary job. I believe that democracy and transparency matter, and that every member’s voice matters.”
“We can build our strength and solidarity by opening the lines of communication – to foster connections across sectors, divisions, bargaining teams, regions, and locals; to plan, strategize and share best practices.”
“I believe that as long as we stand together and create a big enough, rowdy enough tent, we will help to win a better future for all workers. Thank you for placing your trust in me to help accomplish our common goal.”
From FVPT Laurie Nancekivell’s message: Respect, trust, engagement – you can bank on it.
“I want to thank you, the members, for giving me the honour to serve as your First Vice-President/Treasurer – it is truly one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
“We educate, we protect and we serve the people of Ontario with dignity and respect. We stand up to injustice, we advocate for our fellow workers, and in so doing, we make our workplaces and communities stronger.”
“We do all of this best, when we do it together.”
OPSEU/SEFPO welcomes new leadership: JP Hornick and Laurie Nancekivell
JP Hornick has been elected as the new President of OPSEU/SEFPO marking the first change in the union’s presidency in 15 years.
Hornick is the Coordinator of the School of Labour at George Brown College, a long-time OPSEU/SEFPO leader and a women’s rights, equity, LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist. She ran for President on a platform of change, deep renewal, and building a bigger and more inclusive union.
Laurie Nancekivell has been elected as OPSEU/SEFPO’s First Vice-President/Treasurer and will serve alongside Hornick. Nancekivell, a Child and Youth Worker by trade and Director’s College graduate, has served on OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board for 10 years.
Hornick and Nancekivell will be officially sworn in at the close of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Convention on Saturday, April 9.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCT DRIVE hosted by Hamilton & District Labour Council
Drop off date: Wednesday, March 30
Location: 51 Adair Ave. South, Hamilton
WHAT WE KNOW:
- Almost one quarter of Canadian women say they have struggled to afford menstrual products for themselves or their children.
- Almost 60% of community organizations say they are asked for free menstrual products and more than 80% of community agencies do not have a budget to buy them.
- When people don’t have access to menstrual products, they miss school, work and other opportunities to contribute to their community.
The Period Promise campaign by United Way is an easy way to help everybody live with the dignity that we deserve. Join us and be a part of the solution in three ways:
- Run a product drive to collect tampons, pads, and other menstrual products to support vulnerable people in our communities.
- Make a financial donation to support the campaign and allow United Way to use our purchase power to make a bulk buy on your behalf.
- Sign onto the Period Promise Policy Agreement and commit to providing menstrual products to staff, members, clients, guests and/or customers.
There is a global movement toward menstrual equity: Ensuring menstrual hygiene products are affordable, safe and available, especially to those in need. United Way Halton & Hamilton recognizes and supports the need for menstrual equity in our own communities.
Period Promise is devoted to making fundamental change so that we can eradicate period poverty in our communities. Part of that includes working with governments, businesses, unions, and other organizations to move the dial and change policy.
To make other arrangements, contact Gillian at gsurette-robinson@uwhh.ca
College faculty reject contract, call on employer to negotiate or arbitrate
Ontario college faculty have rejected a contract offer from their employer, and OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas hopes the result will trigger a return to the bargaining table.
“I am convinced a negotiated settlement is there and within reach,” said Thomas.
The College Employer Council’s offer was rejected by 62 per cent of faculty who voted, after the CEC broke off negotiations last November and imposed working conditions on faculty in December.
For bargaining updates, please visit: https://www.collegefaculty.org/bargaining-updates/
Future of Work – Employee Pulse Survey
Help shape our work environment. Please complete the employer’s confidential survey before February 28.
The survey is one of the ways the college will be seeking feedback on the future of work at Mohawk College.
Please check your College email for the link to the survey.
General Membership Meeting – February 2, 5:30pm
OPSEU Local 241 is hosting an online General Membership Meeting for all members on Wednesday, February 2, 5:30-7pm. Register for the GMM now.
We will be nominating and/or electing Full and Part-time Stewards as well as delegates to the OPSEU Regional Meeting in March and the Convention in April. Any member is eligible to attend the convention. Fill out the nomination form here.
Full-time members will be voting on our Local’s top demands for the bargaining team in anticipation of the Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement coming up for renewal in 2022. We sincerely thank those that gave their suggestions and recommendations at the pre-bargaining workshops or via the online form.
Attendance is critical, as we need a certain number of members to proceed with the meeting. Both part-time and full-time employees are very strongly encouraged to attend.
We look forward to seeing you on February 2!
Full-time Support Staff bargaining workshops
The College Full-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement is coming up for renewal in 2022. Local 241 wants your input and involvement in the issues that matter to our full-time members.
We would like your suggestions and recommendations that should be included in our bargaining sessions. These workshops will shape how we bargain and will form our demands. We will be compiling a list of ideas that should be brought to the bargaining table.
We will be conducting two online workshops and we would appreciate your input.
January 25, 5:30-6:30pm. Register now
January 27, 12:00-1:00pm. Register now
If you are unable to attend, you can submit your suggestions online.
You will vote on our Local’s top demands for the bargaining team at a special online General Membership Meeting that will take place February 2, 5:30-7pm. Register for the GMM now.
We will also be nominating delegates to the OPSEU Region 2 Meeting and Convention at that time. Any member is eligible to attend the convention. Fill out the nomination form here.
Your input is invaluable – have your say!
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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.