OPSEU members in social services in the Broader Public Service representing four sectors including: Developmental Services, Community Agencies, BPS – Corrections and Children’s Treatment met over two days (Nov. 4-5) to discuss sector bargaining strategies and trends, and policy and campaign strategies, in preparation for the bargaining of 173 collective agreements across these sectors in 2016-17.
President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and First Vice-President Treasurer, Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida opened the conference and welcomed over 90 delegates in attendance. The President highlighted the issue of privatization in the provision of social services and reaffirmed OPSEU’s commitment to continue to oppose and organize against the many forms of for-profit delivery of public services that the Liberal government is promoting. Vice-President Almeida reminded delegates that social services are the backbone of healthy communities and that at a time of rising inequality our work matters as never before.
Conference highlights included: a presentation by Andrew McNeill, Researcher from OPSEUs affiliate body, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), addressed the impacts of austerity funding to social services and ensuing changes to funding models and service provision; NDP MPP for Hamilton Mountain and critic for the Ministries of Child and Youth Services and Community and Social Services, Monique Taylor, discussed how members and local leaders can utilize her role as critic in the Ontario Legislature; and a presentation by Andrew Harington, a Chartered Accountant and Consultant with Duff and Phelps, on the “ins and outs” of an Employers’ Annual Report.
Delegates also heard from member activists, Sue Fairweather, Local 166 Community Living London, shared insights on mobilizing in developmental services. Activists from Local 509, Fred Victor, Marcel Charlebois, Tammy Moreau, and Ken Mitchell spoke about the importance of face to face outreach in their organizing campaign. OPSEU members at Fred Victor won a merger vote against another union in October and continue to be represented by OPSEU.
On day two delegates attended sector meetings to discuss and formulate central sector demands for local bargaining tables and overall bargaining strategies.
The CSDC looks forward to strengthening the voice of OPSEUs BPS workers in social services and to continue to build participation and grassroots activism at the local level.
The CSDC thanks all members who attended the conference for their participation in making this first joint conference a great success.
OPSEU members in social services in the Broader Public Service representing four sectors including: Developmental Services, Community Agencies, BPS – Corrections and Children’s Treatment met over two days (Nov. 4-5) to discuss sector bargaining strategies and trends, and policy and campaign strategies, in preparation for the bargaining of 173 collective agreements across these sectors in 2016-17.
President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and First Vice-President Treasurer, Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida opened the conference and welcomed over 90 delegates in attendance. The President highlighted the issue of privatization in the provision of social services and reaffirmed OPSEU’s commitment to continue to oppose and organize against the many forms of for-profit delivery of public services that the Liberal government is promoting. Vice-President Almeida reminded delegates that social services are the backbone of healthy communities and that at a time of rising inequality our work matters as never before.
Conference highlights included: a presentation by Andrew McNeill, Researcher from OPSEUs affiliate body, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), addressed the impacts of austerity funding to social services and ensuing changes to funding models and service provision; NDP MPP for Hamilton Mountain and critic for the Ministries of Child and Youth Services and Community and Social Services, Monique Taylor, discussed how members and local leaders can utilize her role as critic in the Ontario Legislature; and a presentation by Andrew Harington, a Chartered Accountant and Consultant with Duff and Phelps, on the “ins and outs” of an Employers’ Annual Report.
Delegates also heard from member activists, Sue Fairweather, Local 166 Community Living London, shared insights on mobilizing in developmental services. Activists from Local 509, Fred Victor, Marcel Charlebois, Tammy Moreau, and Ken Mitchell spoke about the importance of face to face outreach in their organizing campaign. OPSEU members at Fred Victor won a merger vote against another union in October and continue to be represented by OPSEU.
On day two delegates attended sector meetings to discuss and formulate central sector demands for local bargaining tables and overall bargaining strategies.
The CSDC looks forward to strengthening the voice of OPSEUs BPS workers in social services and to continue to build participation and grassroots activism at the local level.