The OPSEU Provincial Young Workers Committee (PYC) invites you to submit your application for the 2017 Young Workers Conference!
In addition to welcoming previous conference participants, we would like to extend a special invitation to those who have not attended in the past. We welcome all members who identify as young workers, 35 and under. We look forward to meeting you!
This year’s event, “Bargaining for the Future,” will examine the future of jobs through the bargaining lens. Many workers today are increasingly forced to accept little or no job security, lesser pensions, and inadequate workplace protections. The goal will be to provide participants with an understanding of the bargaining cycle and the need for young workers to get more involved. Planned activities and workshops will be interactive. Participants will be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to build on the leadership potential of OPSEU. We hope participants leave the event with solid ideas that they can take back to their communities to make a difference!
Please note that applications are no longer being accepted for this event. Selected participants have already been notified. We thank you for your interest and please be sure to apply to attend the next conference!
Tentative conference agenda
Friday August 11, 2017
5:00 to 7:00 PM – Registration (dinner on your own)
5:30 PM – Smudging ceremony
6:15 to 6:45 PM – New delegate orientation
7:00 to 7:10 PM – Welcome, conference logistics, meet the PYC
7:10 to 7:30 PM – "OPSEU Passport" networking activity
7:30 to 7:45 PM – Introduction to the bargaining cycle
7:45 to 8:30 – Bargaining dangers facing young workers
8:50 to 9:00 PM – Video, wrap-up and adjournment
Saturday August 12, 2017
7:30 AM – Smudging ceremony
8:00 to 9:00 AM – Breakfast (not provided)
9:00 to 9:10 AM – Conference opening, morning energizer
9:10 to 9:30 AM – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas
9:30 to 10:30 AM – Keynote Address & Q&A with Mike Palecek, President, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)
10:30 to 10:45 AM – Break
10:45 to 11:00 AM – Networking activity
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Workshop – Enforcing the Collective Agreement
12:00 to 1:30 PM – Lunch (not provided)
1:30 to 2:30 PM – Pensions and why they’re important
2:30 to 2:45 PM – Break
2:45 to 4:30 PM – Local solidarity activity/demonstration
4:30 to 7:00 PM – Dinner (not provided)
7:00 to 8:30 PM – Movie presentation
8:30 to 8:45 PM – Wrap-up of the day and adjournment
Sunday August 13, 2017
7:30 AM – Smudging ceremony
8:00 to 9:00 AM – Breakfast (not provided)
9:00 to 9:20 AM – Conference re-opens and morning energizer
9:20 to 10:30 AM – Workshop – Demand Set and Bargaining
10:30 to 10:45 AM – Break
10:45 to 11:45 AM – Union demands and global solidarity
11:45 AM to 12:00 PM – Conference wrap-up, evaluation, and adjournment
