PDF versionOPSEU/SEFPO’s Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW) will be convening their Election Summit on Friday March 22 to Sunday March 24, 2024, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in Downtown Toronto.Quite fittingly the theme is, “The Right of Self-Selection in a Democratic Environment,” which speaks to the trials, tribulations and victories of the past, the resistance of today and the path forward for the work ahead. Using an anti-racist and intersectional lens, participants will come together and mobilize by understanding the importance of this election for Black and racialized workers.Delegates at the 2022 OPSEU/SEFPO Convention voted to amend the union’s Constitution which changed CoRW’s status to a provincial equity committee under Article 19. This was a significant milestone in the union’s history because members of CoRW can make an even greater impact to support and engage with OPSEU/SEFPO’s Black and racialized members.The main purpose of this Election Summit is to mobilize Black and racialized members and to elect representatives to the Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW) Committee. This Summit will also explore and discuss critical strategies that will advance OPSEU/SEFPO’s priorities on dismantling anti-Black racism through sustainable and meaningful change.It also builds upon other key achievements for OPSEU/SEFPO which include the addition of seven equity-designated seats on the Executive Board as well as the ongoing mandatory training on dismantling anti-Black, anti-Indigenous and all forms of systemic racism for all elected union officials.Additional topics for discussion will include:
- Mobilization and examining the critical issues confronting Black and racialized members in elected positions.
- Confronting anti-Black racism, dismantling systemic racism, and decolonizing our union through mobilizing; and
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion approaches and anti-black racism efforts in the workplace, locals, and the union movement.
Election Summit Format:
The Election Summit will be an in-person event with no option to attend virtually.There will be a total of fourteen (14) elected positions all of which are representative of OPSEU/SEFPO’s seven (7) regions with the following breakdown:
- Region 1 – Two (2) positions
- Region 2 – Two (2) positions
- Region 3 – Two (2) positions
- Region 4 – Two (2) positions
- Region 5 – Four (4) positions
- Region 6 – One (1) position
- Region 7 – One (1) position
Note: Black and/or Racialized OPSEU/SEFPO members who will not stand for elected positions are also eligible to attend the Election Summit and vote for CoRW candidates from their region.The two (2) year term for successful candidates is effective April 27, 2024, after OPSEU/SEFPO Convention.
Summit Participants
Space is limited and summit participants will be confirmed by the selection committee with assistance from the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Equity Unit. The selection process will endeavor to select attendees who are representative of Black and racialized OPSEU/SEFPO members from across all the seven (7) regions.Information regarding time off and expenses will be sent to participants upon completion of this process. For questions, contact
[email protected].
Applications are closed
We look forward to meeting you at the Election Summit!In solidarity,OPSEU/SEFPO Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW)
Tentative Election Summit Agenda
Friday March 22, 2024 – Day 1
- 5:00 to 7:00 PM Registration Opens / Candidates Corner (Dinner on Your Own)
- 5:00 to 5:30 PM Smudging Ceremony
- 7:00 to 7:15 PM Lion Dance
- 7:15 to 7:30 PM Welcome Remarks and Conference Logistics
- 7:30 to 8:00 PM Overview of Election Process & Procedures
- 8:00 to 8:45 PM Keynote Address: Professor Carl James: “The Right of Self Selection in a Democratic Environment”
- 8:45 to 9:00 PM Questions, Wrap-up, and Adjournment
- (Childcare Operating Hours: 4:30 to 9:30 PM)
Saturday March 23, 2024 – Day 2
- 8:00 to 8:45 AM Meditative Activity / Yoga
- 8:00 to 9:00 AM Registration Re-opens | (Breakfast on Your Own)
- 9:00 to 9:15 AM Welcome by Peter Thompson, CoRW Chair
- 9:15 to 9:45 AM Opening Remarks from OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell
- 9:45 to 10:30 AM Regional Delegate Status & Candidates Speeches
- 10:30 to 10:45 AM Morning Break (Refreshments Provided)
- 10:45 to 12:30 PM Candidates Speeches – Continued
- 12:30 to 1:30 PM Lunch (On Your Own)
- 1:30 to 3:00 PM Elections
- 3:00 to 3:15 PM Afternoon Break (Refreshments Provided)
- 3:15 to 3:30 PM Guest Speaker: Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, P.C., C.M., Ont., C.B.E. (Former Member of Parliament)
- 3:30 to 4:30 PM Panel Discussion: “The Right of Self Selection in a Democratic Environment” with Marium Tolson-Murty, Director, Anti-Racism Organizational Change, University of Windsor, Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, P.C., C.M., Ont., C.B.E. (Former Member of Parliament), and Professor Carl James
- Moderated by CoRW and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 154 Members Peter Thompson & Elizabeth Ha
- 4:30 to 5:00 PM Wrap Up and Adjournment
- 5:00 to 7:00 PM Dinner (On Your Own)
- 7:00 to 8:00 PM Introduction of Newly Elected Provincial CoRW Committee Members
- 8:00 to 9:00 PM Black Resistance: African Fashion Week Show
- 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM Caribbean Band and DJ entertainment
- (Childcare Operating Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and 6:30PM to 9.30PM)
Sunday March 24, 2024 – Day 3
- 7:30 to 8:30 AM Meditative Activity
- 8:00 to 9:00 AM Breakfast (On Your Own)
- 9:00 to 9:15 AM Welcome Back and Recap
- 9:15 to 10:15 AM Regional Breakout Groups
- 10:15 to 10:30 AM Morning Break (Refreshments Provided)
- 10:30 to 11:30 AM Regional Breakout Groups Feedback and Regional Needs
- 11:30 to 12:00 PM Closing Remarks, Way forward, Call to Action, and Traveling Song
- 12:00 PM Adjournment
- (Childcare Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
