The hard work of OPSEU/SEFPO members in Sector 8: Long-Term Care (LTC), Retirement Home (RH), and related facilities needs to be recognized. We felt recognized and heard during the pandemic and were held up as heroes. But we have seen an erosion in our working conditions as overall funding increases, but private for-profit corporations and managers take a bigger and bigger chunk while we get pennies. We do this work because we love caring for people and making sure they are cared for. We deserve respect and appreciation for the work we do.
In the Fall of 2025, for the first time ever, three Sector 8 member mobilizers were booked off to launch this campaign! and now we’re excited to increase the number off book offs to five members and continue organizing and building on the amazing momentum already started!
OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 8 is calling out for full-time book offs (released from your regular work duties with pay) to participate in a campaign to engage members in our division. Together, we can work to build our voices, join together to be strong, and fight to make sure we are acknowledged!
If you are selected, your scheduled shifts continue but rather than reporting to your Employer for duties, you’ll work with OPSEU/SEFPO for the duration of the book off. Your wages will continue to be paid by the Employer, uninterrupted. Your Employer then invoices the Union for all wages and all wage-related costs for the duration of time you are doing work as part of the book off.
We are looking for champions of caregiving and want you to join the team!
Please complete the application questionnaire at the following link:
Sector 8 – 2026 Caregiver Champions Campaign Application – Fill out form
These applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis starting on May 8 and continue until the roles are filled. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.
Principal Duties
- Promoting Sector 8 members and work across Ontario in the healthcare work members do in LTCs, RHs, and related facilities
- Promoting the survey and ensuring participation
- Organizing events, rallies, solidarity actions and more
- Engage, inspire, and organize members widely in being active in OPSEU/SEFPO
- Comfort and ability to make phone calls over consecutive hours of work
- Comfort and ability to have in-person conversations over consecutive hours of work
- Mobilizers may be booked off to primarily work in one region, but the work is not limited to that region.
- Travel across regions may be required to directly meet with members
- Work with Local Executives to build up membership which includes such activities as:
- Local events activities to support member engagement
- Assisting in signing-up folks to OPSEU/SEFPO membership and the membership portal
- Recruiting and supporting leaders amongst the membership
- Other duties related to membership engagement
- Track and record campaign participation in digital databases
- Engage Labour Councils, other unions, and community allies
- Build relationships with existing members and allies; deepening existing relationships with members and allies all towards strategic goals
- Recruit and support leaders in Sector 8 workplaces
- Engage and connect with leaders over the course of the campaign
- Share campaign messaging and materials widely throughout the membership
- Represent OPSEU/SEFPO with integrity and professionalism
- Adherence to the OPSEU/SEFPO Statement of Respect in all duties performed
Qualifications
- Successful candidates must be members in good standing
- Successful candidates must be firmly committed to public delivery of healthcare services for all; this is an anti-privatization campaign
- Successful candidates will be self-directed and take initiative to undertake work
- Successful candidates will be flexible and dynamic with changing priorities to meet strategic needs
- Successful candidates will not be afraid to talk to members and engage them, even on complicated issues, by phone, in person, digitally
- Successful candidates are able to manage competing interests while focusing on the strategic objectives of the campaign
- Successful candidates will work in a team environment
- Successful candidates will engage adeptly with members, non-members, public, and allies on campaign initiatives
- Successful candidates should have access to a vehicle (not a requirement) and be comfortable with travel for work
Technological Tools and Competencies
- Microsoft Office (Basic competency required)
- Social media (Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, SnapChat, etc.) (Experience with one or several of these is required)
- Digital Meetings – Zoom, Microsoft Teams
- Other digital tools as needed (Training to be provided)
Skills Learning Opportunities
- Digital Campaigning
- Including databases, social media, and messaging
- Campaigns Organizing
- Learning and participating in internal member organizing work while providing engagement for wider public participation
Duration
- Union Leaves will begin between June and September 2026
- Union Leaves will end no later than December 18, 2026
- Union Leaves will only be taken for work done on this campaign (Exclusions: local work like steward meetings, local executive work, Divisional Executive, bargaining duties etc.)
Campaign Compensation
- More detailed information will be provided to successful candidates.
- All regular earnings will be covered by OPSEU/SEFPO subject to your collective agreement provisions and employer
- Expenses will be covered for successful candidates in the following categories subject to approval by PAED:
- Transportation
- Meals
- Overnight accommodation
- Internet and Phone expenses
- Digital Tool subscriptions
- Office/Supply expenses
- Childcare and family care
- Human rights accommodations