Vote OPSEU/SEFPO: Vote info for Sept 28-30

What am I voting for?

When you vote yes to OPSEU/SEFPO representation you will get:

A voice at the table, not a take-it-or-leave it approach with management;

Stable, predictable working conditions and job security through a collective agreement;

Processes for hiring and advancement that are fair;

A complaints/ grievance procedure to hold the employer accountable;

Joint employer- management committees to ensure health and safety Protocols, evaluations of new positions, equitable job descriptions and duties;

And a democratic process to elect your local union leaders.

With decades of experience mental health and addictions, and experience bargaining dozens of merged contracts, OPSEU has the strength of experience you need.

When and How do I vote?

The vote dates have been set.

From Wednesday September 28, 2022 to Friday September 30, 2022.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) oversees the voting. They have yet to decide whether the vote will be in person or online (dependent on their COVID protocols at the time of voting). We will keep you posted on this webpage with more instructions once the OLRB decides how voting will proceed.

Will my employer or co-workers know how I voted?

No. Regardless of whether the vote will be held in person or online, the vote will be held by secret ballot. Voters are entitled to vote without interference, restraint or coercion.

What happens next?

In Canada, you have the Constitutional right to join and participate in a union. But becoming full union members with your co-workers doesn’t happen overnight.

Here’s a roadmap of what lies ahead:

Once you’ve signed your OPSEU/SEFPO card, encourage your co-workers to do the same. The more quickly a large group of you sign cards, the more quickly you’ll become members!
Watch your personal email and texts for updates and events.
Once a large group of you have signed cards, OPSEU/SEFPO files an application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) and then two things happen:
- 1. Your “freeze period” protection begins
- 2. The ORLB schedules a secret ballot vote within the coming weeks or months.
Your “freeze period” protection. Once we’ve applied to the ORLB, it is against the law for your managers to arbitrarily change any of your conditions or working conditions.
Your secret ballot vote. This is your chance to formally vote on becoming OPSEU/SEFPO members. When the majority of you vote to join OPSEU/SEFPO, you become members!
Bargaining preparation. With the help and guidance of OPSEU/SEFPO, you will elect your bargaining and decide together on your top priorities – better wages, health and safety protections, and a legal voice to be heard and respected!
Bargaining begins. Your bargaining team and OPSEU/SEFPO staff bargain your first Collective Agreement.
Have your say. Once your bargaining team reaches a “tentative agreement” with the employer, you and all your co-workers vote. If the majority vote no, your bargaining team and the employer go back to the table. When the majority vote yes, congratulations! You have your first Collective Agreement.

Contact us confidentially

Kiera Chion
kchion@opseu.org
416-526-0330

Patti Markland
416-522-7826
pmarkland@opseu.org

Daniel Peters
dpeters@opseu.org
416- 805-1796

Patti Markland
OPSEU/SEFPO Organizing Representative
pmarkland@opseu.org
416-802-8121

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Jeremy Thibodeau
OPSEU/SEFPO Organizing Representative
jthibodeau@opseu.org
647-528-0271

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Lorri Foley
Staff Rep – London Regional Office
lfoley@opseu.org
519-281-1935

Jeremy Thibdeau
647-528-0271
jthibodeau@opseu.org

Alyssa Walker
416-200-0947
awalker@opseu.org

Kathy Whipple
kwhipple@opseu.org
416-427-8705