Breaking Ground on Equity Representation on the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board

Every voice deserves a seat at the table – it’s how we build worker power. That’s why we’re excited to announce that the process to select seven new Equity Board Members is underway!Last year, an ad hoc committee was formed to consider how best to meet the member-led demands for equity representation on OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board.At OPSEU/SEFPO’s Convention in 2023, a constitutional amendment was passed to inaugurate seven new Equity Board Seats that reflect OPSEU/SEFPO’s seven equity deserving groups. Following this groundbreaking achievement, the Board Equity Committee (BEC) was launched to create, implement, and oversee the selection of the seven Equity Board Members.Under elected Chair, Peter Thompson – who also serves as the Chair of the Coalition of Racialized Workers (CORW) – the BEC held their first ever meeting on Friday, November 10^th, 2023. The membership of the BEC includes representatives from the seven OPSEU/SEFPO constitutionally recognized equity groups:

• Coalition of Racialized Workers (CORW) 
• Provincial Women’s Committee (PWC)
• Provincial Young Worker’s Committee (PYC)
• Provincial Francophone Committee (PFC)
• Indigenous Circle (IC)
• Rainbow Alliance Arc-en-Ciel
• Disability Rights Caucus

The Committee’s Executive Board Liaison and the OPSEU/SEFPO President are also members of the BEC, with voice but no vote.It is the responsibility of the BEC to ensure that the entire membership of the Union is involved throughout this important election process. Members who are interested in running as candidates for an Equity Board Seat are be encouraged to participate through the nomination process. The BEC Terms of Reference (TOR) highlight the election process and the role of the BEC in ensuring a fair election process that is transparent, equitable and accountable.Information will continue to be available at every step of the way and we urge all members to remain engaged as we move forward.