First VP/Treasurer kicks off Membership Development Trainee program

On October 2, nine OPSEU members from across Ontario gathered at OPSEU headquarters in Toronto for the opening session of the Membership Development Trainee (MDT) program.

The 12-week program, recommended by OPSEU’s Executive Board and approved by the 2017 Convention, will be delivered by the Member Education Unit, in co-operation with the Organizing Unit and Local Services. It will allow OPSEU members from all sectors to experience working with OPSEU, while developing their trade union skills. It will also help create a pool of qualified and experienced applicants for staff vacancies within OPSEU.

First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida was on hand to welcome participants and to bring greetings from Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU, who was undertaking three events in other parts of the province. Almeida underscored the importance of the MDT program for them, for the union, and for all members.

“This initiative is one of the keys to OPSEU’s continuing success,” he said. “It’s all about succession planning in our member-driven union. While focused on the present, we also look to the future. We must ensure a new generation of activists is prepared to take up the cause of working people.

“We know the challenges to preserving good jobs and ensuring excellent working conditions won’t disappear,” Almeida added. “On the contrary, with privatization, outsourcing, and precarious work on the rise in the public and broader public sectors, the labour movement must be stronger than ever if it’s going to ensure Ontarians continue to enjoy an excellent quality of life.

“OPSEU is determined to harness and develop the gifts and talents, knowledge and skills of our membership for the benefit of all OPSEU members, both now and in the years to come,” said Almeida. “In return, we’re excited to be able to provide the skills and hands‑on experience that are essential for career advancement, whether within OPSEU or elsewhere in the labour movement.”

The program will continue until December 22, with participants splitting their time between head office and their home communities. More information on the program is available on OPSEU’s MDT webpage.

Back row, left to right: Christine Laverty (Region 1); Tim Elphick (Region 2); OPSEU
education officer Scott Kennedy; Carl Brisson (Region 4); Tim Krizner (Region 5). Front row,
left to right: Patty Lang (Region 3); Maggie Wakeford (Region 6); Peter Edwards (Region 7);
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida; Angela Thompson (Region 1); Cindy Ladouceur (Region 4).