COME CELEBRATE THE POWER OF WORKING CLASS WOMEN & GENDER DIVERSE PEOPLE!!
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GMM - General Membership Meeting February 1st 6:30PM
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In-Person Course Application Package May 6-7, 2023
Opseu President JP Hornick opened Convention 2023 on April 20 reflecting on the past year’s transformation, fights, and wins and looking ahead to the next year of solidarity!
The 2023 Convention takes place April 20-22, 2023 and will be a hybrid event. All delegates, alternates, and observers can attend virtually or, in person, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Thursday, April 20, 2023
To Saturday, April 22, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Toronto – 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.
“I am confident that we can build a bigger and more inclusive tent that engages all members and renews our union,” said Hornick. “I will work for a transparent and truly democratic union – where equity is a practice and not a buzzword or performance, and where everyone’s voices are heard and contributions valued.”
Hornick will succeed Warren (Smokey) Thomas, the union’s longest-running President, who held the position since 2007. Under her leadership, Hornick plans to foster connections within the union and strengthen relationships with social justice movements across Ontario.
“I know the power of the labour movement is in working with social justice movements for deep change,” added Hornick. “That’s when we are at our most powerful – when we are part of a bigger struggle for justice.”
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.
“As OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President, I will ensure our union’s environment is one where diverse thoughts and opinions can be shared freely,” said Nancekivell. “And as Treasurer, I will serve our members with integrity and transparency.”
Hornick and Nancekivell will be officially sworn in at the close of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Convention on Saturday, April 9.
Tell Ford: Respect Rights, Respect Workers. Don't appeal the bill 124 court decision.
The decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to strike down Doug Ford’s Bill 124 is a major victory for workers’ rights and human rights.
Now we’re calling on the Ford government to accept the court’s decision, respect workers and sit down with public sector labour leaders to find solutions to the staffing crisis currently plaguing the public sector.
It’s time for this government to stop spending public funds fighting workers in court and move on from the unconstitutional attacks.
Send a message to Ford now to do the right thing — respect rights, respect workers.
OPS Conference & Divisional Meetings
The 2022 The 44th Annual Convention of the OPS Employee Union will be convened Wed April 6, 2022 @ 9am in Halls A & B (Level 300) of the Metro Convention Centre, 250 Front St. Toronto ON (416-585-8000)
Website is Under Construction
August 23 & 24, 2022
Local: 599 - 5140/5160/5255Yonge-
5PkHomeComsocFin1200Markham/FSRA
Employer: The Financial Services Regulatory Authority Of Ontario (Fsra)
Customized EMA link:
Click here to access the EMA form
Local 599 Online Membership Application Form
QR Code for the customized EMA link on the left side
May 20, 2022
FYI the next Local 599 General Membership Meeting is on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
George will be sending out an agenda ahead of the meeting.
It's very important that everyone attends. The main focus will be on Local Executive and Steward positions, so George has attached a PDF that explains the roles. Please give these serious thoughts and consideration. We need you!
Roles and Responsibilities of Local Union Officers is also on the left side of the site.
Remember you need to be on a tablet or computer to vote, so please attend on one of these devices.
November 4th 2022
OPSEU/SEFPO Boards of Education members garnered province-wide coverage on Friday as they held a walkout to stand in solidarity with CUPE education workers against Lecce and Ford’s Bill 28. OPSEU/SEFPO members from all sectors, in addition to labour and community allies, joined the monumental show of support at CUPE picket lines and protested outside of Queen’s Park.
The unconstitutional Bill 28 legislated education workers back to work before a strike had even begun, forced them into a four-year contract and, to add insult to injury, Ford pre-emptively invoked the notwithstanding clause to block CUPE from defending their members in court – an unprecedented attack on bargaining rights in Ontario and an attack on democracy.
Region 5 Weekend Educational – November 19-20, 2022 (In-Person)
November 4th 2022
The Region 5 Education Committee is pleased to offer this in-person educational opportunity.
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022 – 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday, November 20, 2022 – 9:00AM to 1:00PM (approx.)
Location: Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto, 475 Yonge St, Toronto ON, M4Y 1X7
Childcare: Childcare will be available Saturday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM and Sunday from 9:00AM to the end of classes. Parent/Guardians must be on site at all times when utilizing childcare provided by OPSEU/SEFPO
The deadline to submit your application is Friday, October 7, 2022 at 4:00PM
We would like to invite all members of Region 5 to participate in this Educational Weekend, where the following eight courses will be offered:
Dismantling Anti-Black Racism
Health & Safety, Level 2
Stewards 2: Facing the Employer, Building Member Involvement
Taking Action on Workplace Stress
Local Treasurer’s Course
Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building
Indigenous Journey: Walking Together: Part 2
Obligation d’accommoder: Un outil pour des milieu de travail inclusifs *This is a French-language course offering*
Call out package: Call Out Package – Final Sept 16, 2022 fillable
Human Rights Accommodation Request Form: Human Rights Accommodation Request Form – fillable
OPSEU/SEFPO boards of education workers protest with CUPE colleagues and supporters
November 4th 2022
Thousands of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 3 Boards of Education workers walked off the job and went to protests at Queen’s Park and the offices of MPPs across the province today in solidarity with CUPE education workers, to protest the draconian and unconstitutional Bill 28 passed yesterday by the Ford government.
OPSEU/SEFPO boards of education workers are also in bargaining (at an earlier stage than CUPE/OSBCU), and have been raising the alarm about how low wages, drastic underfunding and understaffing are leading to violence and injuries in their workplace. (Click here to watch their short video, “Written in the Scars.”)
Their two bargaining team representatives, Sandra Cadeau (Sector 3 Chair) and Kelly Martin (Local 330 President) worked with the Sector 3 division executive and local executive committees across the province to organize today’s action.
OPSEU/SEFPO members were out in force at Queen’s Park, along with OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell and several OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board Members. President JP Hornick told the crowd of thousands, “Doug Ford needs to know, when you punch down on a worker, you raise a movement. This is where it begins – and we will take this to the wall together, and we will break down that wall together!”
Friday, November 17, 2023
To Sunday, November 19, 2023
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2M9
Ambulance, Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions, BPS Corrections, CBS & Diagnostics, Child Treatment, Children's Aid Societies, Community Agencies, Community Health Care Professionals, Developmental Services, Education, General, General, Health Care, Hospital Professionals, Hospital Support, Liquor Board, Liquor Board Employees, Long Term Care Facilities, Mental Health and Addictions Division, Municipalities, Private Contractors, Social Services, Universities
The Broader Public Service (BPS) Conference and Sector Divisional Meetings have been scheduled.
Broader Public Service Conference:
Friday, November 17, 2023 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
BPS Sector Divisional Meetings (SDMs)
Saturday, November 18, 2023 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 19, 2023 9:00 a.m.
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2M9, 416-361-1000
Single rate: $252 +taxes
Meeting Room: Grand Ballroom
Thursday, November 16, 2023 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, November 17, 2023 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 18, 2023 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 19, 2023 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Green P Parking – 37 Queen St. E, Toronto, ON M5C 1R5
Monday – Friday
Day Maximum until 6 p.m. – $32.00 (Entering 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Day Maximum until 6 p.m. – $20.00 (Entering 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Saturday – Sunday
Day Maximum (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.) – $9.00
Night Maximum (6 p.m. – 7 a.m.) – $8.00
*Note: valet parking receipts are not a reimbursable claim.
Please note: This is a hybrid event. If you elect to attend virtually, one week prior to the event a Zoom link with instructions will be sent to you. No expenses outside of time off (if required) will be reimbursed unless otherwise pre-approved. Meals for virtual participants are not covered. To inquire about pre-approval, please email conferencesandtravel@opseu.org.
Delegate entitlement is determined by bargaining unit configuration, not by Local. A bargaining unit is a group of employees covered by a single collective agreement. Delegates to the Conference must be elected as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy.
The Delegate entitlement for the following sectors is based on Convention formula by bargaining unit:
Sector 2 Developmental Services
Sector 3 Boards of Education
Sector 5 Community Agencies
Sector 7 BPS Corrections
Sector 9 Universities
Sector 10 Hospital Professionals Division
Sector 11 Hospital Support
Sector 14 Private Contractors
Sector 17 Community Health Care Professionals
Sector 18 Mental Health and Addictions
Sector 19 Canadian Blood Services (CBS) & Diagnostics
Sector 20 General
Sector 26 Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED), Ambassador Duty Free
NOTE: Because this is a BPS conference only BPS bargaining units are eligible to send delegates, (i.e. not Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology (CAAT) or Ontario Public Service (OPS) Units) and only BPS members are eligible to be delegates, (i.e. not CAAT or OPS members).
The Convention Formula is as follows:
Up to 150 members 1 delegate
151 to 300 members 2 delegates
301 to 500 members 3 delegates
501 to 800 members 4 delegates
801 to 1,100 members 5 delegates
1,101 to 1,500 members 6 delegates
1,501 to 1,900 members 7 delegates
1,901 to 2,300 members 8 delegates
2,301 or more members 9 delegates
However, if there is more than one BPS Unit/Employer contract within the same Local, each Unit is entitled to a delegate from that Unit.
Sector 1 – Ambulance
Each BPS unit is entitled to delegates as per the Convention formula for both the Conference and the Sector Divisional Meeting.
Each Ontario Public Service (OPS) Dispatch Service is entitled to delegates (with voice and no vote) as per the Convention formula but only to the Sector Divisional Meeting.
Sector 4 – Children’s Aid Societies (CAS)
(1 to 200 unionized employees) – 2 delegates; over 200 members – 3 delegates)
There is a maximum of 3 delegates per Local/Unit with the exception of Article 6.2 of the CAS Bylaws.
Sector 8 – Long Term Care
(Up to 100 members – 2 delegates; over 100 members – 3 delegates)
Sector 13 – Municipalities
(Up to 75 members – 2 delegates; over 75 members – 3 delegates)
Sector 15 – Child Treatment Centers
(Up to 75 members – 2 delegates; over 75 members – 3 delegates)
Sector 16 – Property Assessment
(Each Sector 16 Local is entitled to 1 delegate for 1 to 50 members, 51 to 98 members – 2 delegates; 99 and over members – 3 delegates)
Should your Units or Locals have any questions about delegate entitlement please send an email to BPSConference@opseu.org
The OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual (Section 16.1) states two (2) signatures are required on all delegate credentials. We have provided one form for you to list all attendees on. The Credential Attestation Form must be signed by two (2) Local Officers.
Please clearly identify your status, i.e. Delegate/Alternate/Observer.
Note: other required forms cannot be processed until this form is received.
All delegates are determined according to OPSEU/SEFPO’s Convention formula, unless your Sector has been identified above as having a different delegate entitlement. Any alternate(s) and observers accompanying delegates are at the Local’s expense. Head Office will cover an alternate’s expense ONLY where the alternate attends instead of and in place of the Delegate. Please note that alternates, like delegates, must be elected.
In accordance with the OPSEU/SEFPO policy (Section 10.1-5), any member who resides further than 60 kilometers from the event may request that OPSEU/SEFPO make their hotel reservation on their behalf by completing the Hotel Registration section when registering for the event in the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Portal.
OPSEU/SEFPO will be booking all hotel rooms centrally. Delegates will be reimbursed for single room hotel accommodation.
Members are also responsible for payment of their hotel room upon check out as there are no charges billed back to OPSEU/SEFPO. Please save your itemized receipt and submit it with your Membership Expense Claim Form.
Please also notify the Conferences Unit of any special accessibility needs that you may have with respect to your hotel room.
Any additional nights outside of this policy must be pre-approved by the Conferences & Travel Unit, regardless of Region or distance from the event.
Should you require a human rights accommodation or have an existing accommodation under the Human Rights Code, please complete and submit the Human Rights Accommodation Request Form in full.
Family, Dependent and Attendant Care are covered expenses for this event for those who require it at the event or at home.
OPSEU/SEFPO undertakes to provide child care services, when requested, at all union educationals, conventions, regional, divisional, and demand-setting meetings where the membership requests at least three weeks prior to the event. Members who bring their children to OPSEU/SEFPO sponsored functions should normally be required to use the on-site child care service if it is available. The three-week notice will ensure adequate time to process advances when requested. If no requests for on-site child care are received three weeks prior to the activity date, child care arrangements for on-site child care may not be made. If members then bring children to the event without the required notice, the member should be responsible for making his/her own child care arrangements.
Members are to complete their Event Registration, Hotel Booking and Child Care Registration through OPSEU/SEFPO’s Member Portal.
Attached you will find the following documentation:
To confirm your registration, please submit all forms by email to the Conferences Unit (conferencesandtravel@opseu.org) no later than Thursday October 12, 2023.
Submit all advance request forms to Advances@opseu.org
We appreciate your participation in these meetings.
In Solidarity,
Tara Langford
Chair, BPS All Chairs
Authorized for Distribution:
J.P. Hornick
OPSEU/SEFPO President