November Budget Meetings & December GMM
General Membership Meeting
OPSEU Local 241 is hosting an online General Membership Meeting for all Support Staff members on Wednesday, December 6 at noon. Register for the GMM now and add the meeting to your calendar.
We will be voting on our proposed 2024 budget and a spending proposal for a new union management platform.
As a bit of a cherry on top, we will also hold draws for a bunch of assorted gift cards (Esso, President’s Choice, and Tim Hortons) for those in attendance at the GMM!
Attendance is critical for our GMM, 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.
November Budget Town Halls
Those who are interested in knowing more about the budget, spending proposal, or Local finances in general are encouraged to attend one of our town halls this month. We will be holding two ahead of the December GMM.
- Evening Town Hall: Wednesday, November 22, 6:30 PM Online
- Lunch-Hour Town Hall: Wednesday, November 29, Noon @ Fennell Campus i206 and Online
We encourage you to take the opportunity to attend one of the town halls if you can. An informed Local is a strong Local.
We look forward to seeing you at our Town Halls and our GMM on September December 6!
Blue Shirt Day for Part-Time Bargaining
We’re happy to share that a whole bunch of members were on campus wearing their blue shirts, showing support for our Part-Time bargaining team. Many were even happy to show their support by sending in a photo:
Why were people wearing blue shirts?
Union members were wearing blue shirts to show support for our CAAT-S Part-Time (PT) Bargaining Team.
As you may know, Bill 124, which previously capped our wages at a shameful 1%, was declared unconstitutional in November 2022. This significant court decision, activated our wage re-opener clause and paved the way for renegotiations. Our PT Bargaining Team reconvened with the CEC (College Employer Council) on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
The team went into this meeting prepared to make the case for addressing the soaring cost of living and advocating for a wage increase that reflects the escalating costs we all face.
If you missed the chance to show support with the colour of your shirt, you can still show support by engaging with the Local, learning more about the renegotiation, and talking about these things with your co-workers. The more informed we all are, the easier it is to stand together.
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.
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!
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!
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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.