May 8-10, 2014
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto

Convention Minutes 2014

Thursday, May 8, 2014 – Morning Session

President, Thomas, called the Convention to order at 9:02 a.m.

The Harassment and Discrimination Policy was presented in both languages. President Thomas identified the Advisors and Investigators under the Harassment and Discrimination Policy for Convention 2014.

The President welcomed all delegates, alternates, observers and guests to the 39th Annual Convention, the highest decision-making body of OPSEU.

Moment of Silence

A Minute of Silence was observed in memory of all those who have passed away since our last Convention, including the members of our Canadian Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice overseas. We also pay our respects to Nelson Mandela, who died December 5, 2013, for the sacrifices he made that changed a nation and helped people all over the world.

All participants joined in singing O Canada.

Janet Davis, Toronto city councillor brought greetings from Toronto city council.

Denise Wiese, Toronto Tourism, welcomed OPSEU delegates and presented a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to support OPSEU’s Social Justice fund.

General announcements were made on events and services available at Convention.

President Thomas introduced the head table:

• Eduardo Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer
• Maria Wysocki, Procedural Advisor
• Frank Rooney, Constitution and Rules of Order Advisor
• Tracy Danbrook, Recording Secretary
• Kathryn Kaminski, Corporate Secretary

The video “Made in the U.S.A” was presented to Convention.

Guest Speaker – Gilda Cobb-Hunter

Gilda Cobb-Hunter, South Carolina State Congresswoman and chair of the southern caucus of the Democratic National Committee, addressed the convention about the struggles with “right-to-work” style legislation.

Credentials Committee

The members of the Committee are:

Region 1 – Steven Abdey, Local 151
Region 2 – John Dickson, Local 248
Region 3 – Tom Young, Local 305, Chair
Region 4 – Janet Heyman, Local 443
Region 5 – Anthony Marinucci, Local 549, Vice-Chair
Region 6 – Katherina Whipple, Local 614
Region 7 – Terri Morris, Local 714
EBM – Lucy Morton, EBM, Local 269
Staff Advisor – Agatha McPhee

Credentials Committee Report

Moved: T. Young, Cred.Ctte., L.305/Seconded: S. Abdey, Cred.Ctte., L.151
Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of 10:00 a.m.

Delegates – 853
Alternates – 421
Observers – 142
Retirees – 4
EBMs – 17
Committees – 36
– 9
Guests – 4
Total – 1,486

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report – CARRIED

Section A – Convention Agenda

Moved: W. Thomas, President/Seconded: E. Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer
Adoption of the Convention Agenda as distributed.

Vote on the Agenda – CARRIED

Section B – Minutes of Last Convention 2013

Moved: W. Thomas, President/Seconded: E. Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer
Adoption of the Minutes of Convention 2013 as printed in Section B.

Vote on the Minutes of Convention 2013 – CARRIED

President’s Address

OPSEU President (Smokey) Thomas welcomed the more than 1,400 delegates, alternates and guests to the 39th Annual Convention. He began by noting that Ontario workers are in very dangerous times but with that come huge opportunities. OPSEU members are currently in a position to make a huge difference and implement change. We are stronger than ever and ready to influence the outcome of the upcoming provincial election. We are ready to take on Tim Hudak and the policies he’s pushing that are designed to weaken labour laws, weaken unions, cut public services, cut taxes. Hudak’s ideas will make Ontarians weaker and poorer.

Premier Wynne’s provincial budget initially seemed good but after closer observation it was clear that the underlying theme was corrupt, toxic and nasty. Wynne’s budget supports privatization and that means exploitation of the working class through lower wages, loss of jobs and loss of benefits. Wynne’s budget would reduce funds allocated for public services that would result in weakened labour laws and would lower wages for more than 90 per cent of OPSEU members. Privatization helps the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

More than ever we need to get involved in the upcoming election. This is a crucial time for us and a time where we can have our voice heard and make a positive change in the province. We want to make Ontario a better place and give Ontarians confidence that things could get better today and for the next generation. Ontarians are about “good jobs, fair taxes, income equality” and about “building Ontario, not tearing it down. This is our vision and we need to act on this vision”, said Smokey.

The key to getting OPSEU’s message out to all Ontarians is communication. President Thomas urged Executive Board members, elected chairs of OPSEU, local presidents, stewards and delegates to communicate and empower their members to step up and vote. Members need to ensure that OPSEU’s campaign is heard and acted on by all.

With strength in numbers, we need to build our bargaining power, stop austerity and start to rebuild public services.

Section C – Audited Financial Statements and Notes

Section F – Report on Remuneration

President Thomas introduced Terri McKinnon, our external auditors from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Maurice Gabay, OPSEU Accountant. Terri McKinnon referred the delegates to Section C and gave a brief overview of the financial statements.

Questions were entertained and a discussion ensued.

President Thomas thanked Terri McKinnon on behalf of the Convention.

Resolutions Committee

Roxanne Barnes, Resolutions Committee Chair, introduced members of the Resolutions Committee.

Region 1 – Gino Franche, Local 130
Region 2 – Karen Clark, Local 212
Region 3 – Roxanne Barnes, Local 308, Chair
Region 4 – Daryl O’Grady, Local 456
Region 5 – Donald Wright, Local 557, Vice Chair
Region 6 – Nathan Aubin, Local 617
Region 7 – Richard Belleau, Local 731
EBM – Carl Thibodeau, EBM Local 708
Staff Advisor – Pam Doig
Support Staff – Cindy Forsyth

Resolutions Committee
Statutory Resolution A1 – Financial Statements

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

BE IT RESOLVED THAT in compliance with Article 26.2 of the Constitution and Section 97 of the Corporations Act, the Financial Statements for the 12 month period ending December 2013, including the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Revenue and Expenditure and Fund Balances and the Statement of Cash Flows, together with the Auditors’ report thereon, and all transactions reflected thereby be approved and that the President and First Vice-President/Treasurer be authorized to sign the financial statements on behalf of the Executive Board.

Vote on Statutory Resolution A1 – Financial Statements – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
Statutory Resolution A3 – Appointment of Auditors

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

BE IT RESOLVED THAT in compliance with Article 26.2 and 28.4 of the Constitution and Section 94 of the Corporations Act, PWC, PricewaterhouseCoopers; be Auditors of OPSEU for the fiscal year January 1, 2014 through to December 31, 2014 and the Executive Board fix the Auditors’ remuneration.

Vote on Statutory Resolution A3 – Appointment of Auditors – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
Statutory Resolution A2 – Section E – Executive Board Report

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

BE IT RESOLVED THAT in compliance with Section 129 of the Corporations Act, the Convention endorse the actions of the Executive Board from the closing of the last Convention until the closing of this Convention.

Vote on Statutory Resolution A2 – Executive Board Report –  CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
C2 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: NO RECOMMENDATION

Moved: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557/Seconded: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617

WHEREAS bargaining procedures must be approved by the Executive Board and submitted to Convention; and

WHEREAS the Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED) members have been consulted on the proposed amendments and have indicated their support through motions passed at the Divisional meeting held in June 2013;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED) Negotiations Procedures be approved.

Moved: D. Davis, L.378/Seconded: R. Woodall, L.375

Referral Motion
Refer back to the Resolutions Committee with instructions to keep LBED Bargaining Procedures as distributed. (no change to 2.9)

Moved: R. Papoff, L.557/Seconded: M. Martin, L. 557
Closure on Resolution C2 – CARRIED

Vote on Referral of Resolution C2 – LBED Bargaining Procedures – As presented  – CARRIED

The Committee met on the referral and returned with the motion as amended. The Committee had no recommendation.

Vote on Resolution C2 – LBED Bargaining Procedures as amended – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
C3 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: NO RECOMMENDATION

Moved: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557/Seconded: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617

WHEREAS bargaining procedures must be approved by the Executive Board and submitted to Convention; and

WHEREAS the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) members have been consulted on the proposed amendments and have indicated their support through motions passed at the Divisional meeting held in June 2013;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) Negotiations Procedures be approved.

Vote on Resolution C3 – CBS Bargaining Procedures – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
C4 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: NO RECOMMENDATION

Moved: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557/Seconded: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617

WHEREAS bargaining procedures must be approved by the Executive Board and submitted to Convention; and

WHEREAS the Public Health Ontario (PHO) members have been consulted on the proposed amendments and have indicated their support through motions passed at the Divisional meeting held in June 2013;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Public Health Ontario (PHO) Negotiations Procedures be approved. OPSEU CONVENTION 2014 8 Thursday, May 8, 2014 – Morning Session

Vote on Resolution C4 – PHO Bargaining Procedures – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
C6 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Local 517, Local 369 and Local 642
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: AGAINST

Moved: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS The Correctional Bargaining Unit has a long and proud history in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; and

WHEREAS the Correctional Bargaining Unit has maintained a bargaining table negotiating a separate collective agreement with distinct working conditions, attendance management programs, wages, employee relations committees, health and safety committees, grievance processes and fixed-term members conversion language.

WHEREAS per the last round of bargaining for the 2013-2014 Collective Agreement for the Correctional Bargaining Unit the parties have met to discuss a separate and distinct Corrections only Central Collective Agreement; and

WHEREAS consultation has taken place with members of the Correctional Bargaining Unit, in which a separate and distinct Correctional only Central Collective Agreement is overwhelmingly supported;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU creates a new Correctional Public Services (CPS) Division to better represent members who are in the Correctional Bargaining Unit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT an Correctional Public Services (CPS) Division be represented by an OPSEU Central Collective Agreement for the Correctional Bargaining Unit beginning on or about January 1, 2015; (end of current OPS collective agreement) outside of and separate from the OPS Division.

Moved: D. Graves, L.5112/Seconded: J. Richards, L.234

Motion on the floor
That Resolution C6 is tabled to after lunch.

Vote to table Resolution C6 to after lunch – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
D1 – Dues Rebate – Section G

Submitted by:  Retired Members Division
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617/Seconded: K. Clark, Res. Ctte., L.212

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU take every means possible to keep the Rand Formula as is, making sure that everyone pays their fair share and no one gets a free ride.

Moved: C. Kelsey, L.416/Seconded: J. Hanson, L.416
Closure on Resolution D1 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution D1 – Dues Rebate  – CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Peace Officers Memorial – Queens Park

A memorial service to pay tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty was held at noon at Queens Park.

Lunch  Recess

Thursday, May 8, 2014 – Afternoon Session

President Thomas called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m.

Section D – Budget 2014

Eduardo Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer, presented the budget on behalf of the Executive Board.

Moved: E. Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer/Seconded: W. Thomas, President
Adoption of the 2014 Budget as printed in Section D.

Moved: F. Foster, L.137/Seconded: D. Brisson, L.672

Amendment to Budget
Increase mobilizing budget to $677,000.

Vote on Budget Amendment – Increase mobilizing to $677,000 – CARRIED

Moved: E. Ha, L.154/Seconded: B. McBride, L.154

Amendment to Budget
To reinstate Joint Leadership day to occur as an annual event.

Vote on Budget Amendment – reinstate Joint Leadership Day annually – CARRIED

Moved: K. Lock, L.273/Seconded: M. Levie, L.273

Amendment to Budget

WHEREAS the Executive Board passed a motion October 2013 whereby 10% of the wage costs will now be deducted from the rebates of locals that access the 650/750 Local President book off fund and;

WHEREAS some of these locals have already negotiated a better deal with their employer whereby the wages of their full time book off are covered in part by their employer and;

WHEREAS locals that achieved this did so through contract negotiations and;

WHEREAS by making this a priority at bargaining these locals gave up other possible gains to secure this.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this will not apply to those 650/750 locals where full time book offs are partially covered by 10 percent or greater by employer.

Vote on Budget Amendment – no reduction to rebates for locals partially covered by 10% or greater by employer  – CARRIED

Moved: J. Billard, L.598/Seconded: A. Collins, L.598

Closure
President Thomas reminded the delegates that 2/3 must vote in favour to carry.
Closure on Budget as amended – CARRIED

Vote on Budget as Amended – CARRIED

Credentials Committee Report

Moved: T. Young, Cred.Ctte., L.305/Seconded: K. Whipple, Cred.Ctte., L.614
Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of 12:00 p.m.

Delegates – 902
Alternates – 474
Observers – 170
Retirees – 4
EBMs – 17
Committees – 36
– 10
Guests – 7
Total – 1,620

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
C6 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Local 517 and Local 369
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: AGAINST

Moved: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS The Correctional Bargaining Unit has a long and proud history in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; and

WHEREAS the Correctional Bargaining Unit has maintained a bargaining table negotiating a separate collective agreement with distinct working conditions, attendance management programs, wages, employee relations committees, health and safety committees, grievance processes and fixed-term members conversion language.

WHEREAS per the last round of bargaining for the 2013-2014 Collective Agreement for the Correctional Bargaining Unit the parties have met to discuss a separate and distinct Corrections only Central Collective Agreement; and

WHEREAS consultation has taken place with members of the Correctional Bargaining Unit, in which a separate and distinct Correctional only Central Collective Agreement is overwhelmingly supported;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU creates a new Correctional Public Services (CPS) Division to better represent members who are in the Correctional Bargaining Unit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT an Correctional Public Services (CPS) Division be represented by an OPSEU Central Collective Agreement for the Correctional Bargaining Unit beginning on or about January 1, 2015; (end of current OPS collective agreement) outside of and separate from the OPS Division.

A motion was proposed and ruled out of order.

Moved: J. Billard, L.598/Seconded: K. Bernard, L.536

Closure
President Thomas reminded the delegates that 2/3 must vote in favour to carry.
Closure on Resolution C6 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution C6 – Collective Bargaining – DEFEATED

Resolutions Committee
C7 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Local 517 and Local 369
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: AGAINST

Moved: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS the Correctional Bargaining Unit has a long and proud history in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; and

WHEREAS the Correctional Bargaining Unit shares Correctional worksites, with Unified Bargaining Unit members; and

WHEREAS the two bargaining units have separate ratification votes and the potential for different outcomes, leads way for internal conflict between members at correctional worksites and undermines the solidarity of OPSEU; and

WHEREAS per the last round of bargaining for the 2013-2014 Collective Agreement for the Correctional Bargaining Unit the parties have met to discuss a separate and distinct Corrections only Central Collective Agreement; and

WHEREAS consultation has taken place with members who work in Correctional workplaces, which support broadening the scope of the Correctional Bargaining Unit;

THEREFORE FOR BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU enter into agreement with Management Board of Cabinet to broaden the scope of the Correctional Bargaining Unit to include all OPSEU members with headquarters which are located at Correctional Services worksites.

Moved: O. Obagi, L.446/Seconded: S. Pentecost, L.415
Closure on Resolution C7 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution C7 – Collective Bargaining – DEFEATED

Constitution Committee

The members of the Committee are:

Region 1 – Naz Binck, Local 137
Region 2 – Serge Valcourt, Local 270
Region 3 – Tim Hannah, Local 308
Region 4 – Bernard Bélanger, Chair, Local 420
Region 5 – Janice Hagan, Vice Chair, Local 561
Region 6 – Pierre J. Verhelst, Local 605
Region 7 – Sophia Ambrose, Local 736
EBM – Sean Platt, EBM, Local 368
Staff Advisor – Laurie Chapman
Support Staff – Sherry Bader

Article 27.1 The Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of those delegates present and voting at any Convention.

Constitutional Amendment A.1, Article 13, C.1, Section H

Submitted by: Local 607
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: S. Ambrose, Const.Ctte., L.736

Add a new Article 13.4 (f) to read as follows:

a) Each Member of Ministry Enforcement and Renewal Committee (MERC) Team shall be entitled to be a delegate of his/her Region

Amend Article 13.6 to read: (changes in bold)

Except for delegates under Article 13.4(b), (c), (d), and (e) and (f), no person may be a delegate unless s/he is a Member in good standing of the Local which elected him/her as a delegate. No person may be a Member of more than one Local at the same time or cast more than one vote at a Convention, except where the Member is employed in more than one Local by a different employer. Honorary Members may not be delegates.

Moved: J. Nealon, L.309/Seconded: P. Beaumont, L.309
Closure on Constit. Amendment A.1, Article 13, C.1 – CARRIED

Vote on Constit. Amendment A.1, Article 13, C.1 – DEFEATED

Constitutional Amendment A.2, Article 29, C.5, Section H

Submitted by: Local 368
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: N. Binck, Const.Ctte., L.137

Amend Article 29.8.2 as follows: (changes in bold)

The quorum for meetings of the above groups shall be:

Size of Group — Quorum

1-20 members — 50 percent of the members

21-200 members — 10 members

201 – 1000 — 5 percent of the members

1001 or more members — 50 members

Moved: O. Obagi, L.446/Seconded: J. Gordon, L.446

Closure
President Thomas reminded the delegates that 2/3 must vote in favour to carry.
Closure on Constit. Amendment A.2, Article 29, C.5 – DEFEATED

Eduardo Almeida, First Vice President/Treasurer in Chair.

Moved: E. Strachen, EBM, L.506/Seconded: L. Sutton, L.581
Closure on Constit. Amendment A.2, Article 29, C.5 – CARRIED

Vote on Constit. Amendment A.2, Article 29, C.5 –  DEFEATED

Constitutional Amendment A.3, Article 13, C.2, Section H

Submitted by: Local 368
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: T. Hannah, Const.Ctte., L.308

Amend Article 13.5.1 to read: (changes in bold)

All delegates and alternate delegates from Locals shall be elected for each Convention at a general membership meeting on the principle of winning a clear majority, with run-off ballots if necessary, except that the Local President shall be the first delegate automatically. Should the Local be unable to reach quorum to elect delegates, the highest ranking Local Officers shall be the second, third and fourth delegate (if required) automatically.

Moved: T. Wilcox, L.245/Seconded: P. Khangura, L.245
Closure on Constit. Amendment A.3, Article 13, C.2 – CARRIED

Vote on Constit. Amendment A.3, Article 13, C.2 – DEFEATED

Constitutional Amendment A.4, Article 23, C.4, Section H

Submitted by: Local 368
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: S. Valcourt, Const.Ctte., L.270

Amend Article 23.1 to read as follows: (changes in bold)

The Union shall maintain a Strike Fund, whose assets shall be used only for the following purposes:

(a) for strike pay and expenses related to strikes, lockouts and other work stoppage situations involving OPSEU members, except that 2 percent of the strike fund per year will be specifically utilized to support mobilizing for any unit with bargaining in that year; and

(b) upon a two-thirds roll-call vote of the Executive Board, to make interest-free loans to other striking unions where the Board deems such loans to be in the interests of OPSEU Members.

23.2 Notwithstanding Article 23.1, up to 10 million dollars of the assets of the Strike Fund may be encumbered by one or more security interests in order to secure any form of indebtedness of the union. The granting of any such encumbrance shall require approval by at least two-thirds of the Executive Board.

23.3 The Union shall maintain a Defence Fund, whose assets shall be used only to defend OPSEU Members in situations that raise fundamental challenges to union principles, standards and practices, and that require the development of legal and/or lobbying and political campaigns.

Moved by: M. Martin, L.557

Objection to Consideration
Objects to consideration of Constitutional Amendment A.4, Article 23, C.4, Section H.

First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida explained that objection to consideration does not require a seconder and is not debatable and that if a third of the assembly wants to have this motion considered then we will consider it.

Vote on Objection to Consideration
Constit.Amendment A.4, Art. 23, C.4 – WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

President Thomas resumes the Chair.

Constitutional Amendment A.5, Article 21, C.3, Section H

Submitted by: Local 435, 720, 740, Region 7 Area Council and Rideau/St. Lawrence Area Council
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: J. Hagan, Const.Ctte., L.561

Amend Article 21.4.1 as follows: (changes in bold)

Divisional councils may be formed subject to the approval of the Executive Board, to bring together Divisions with common interests and to coordinate Division activities. A member may belong to no more than one Divisional Council.

Moved: O. Obagi, L.446/Seconded: J. Hanson, L.416
Closure on Constit. Amendment A.5, Article 21, C.3 – CARRIED

Vote on Constit. Amendment A.5, Article 21, C.3 – CARRIED

Constitutional Amendment A.6, Article 29, C.6, Section H

Submitted by: Executive Board
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: P. Verhelst, Const.Ctte., L.605

Amend Article 29.8.2 as follows: (changes in bold)

The quorum for meetings of the above groups shall be:

Size of Group — Quorum

1-20 members — 25 percent of the members

21-200 members — 5 members

201 or more members — 3 percent of the members

Orders of the Day
Award Presentation

Leah Casselman Award – Individual

Recipient: Dan Anderson, Local 431

After the realization that the new P3 hospital to be built in late 2012 on the existing Providence Care site was going to severely impact staff and their clients, Dan and the members of Local 431 organized an information picket. Dan and Local 431 were an integral part of mobilizing the community, local unions and community partners in a vote on this issue that resulted in 96 per cent of the Kingston community in favour of keeping the new facility entirely public.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Leah Casselman Award to Dan Anderson, Local 431.

Health and Safety – Individual

Recipient: Mike Lundy, Local 737

Mike is a driving force for labour, our union and health and safety in Ontario. He is a Certified Health and Safety Instructor and the regional representative for OHCOW (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers). Mike has been involved with Corrections’ Northern Labour Relations project, the provincial health and safety committee (Corrections) and is a contributing member to the provincial MERC committee.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Health and Safety Award to Mike Lundy, Local 737.

Health and Safety – Local

Recipient: Local 329 – Waypoint Center

Local 329 – Waypoint is a leader in Health and Safety because of strong leadership and active members committed to health and safety. In 2011 and 2012 serious incidents of harm were report by staff and filed with WSIB including the striking of a body by a patient, verbal death threats and harassment. After several inspections at Waypoint Center by the Ministry of Labour for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Healthcare and Facilities Regulations, orders were issued against the employer resulting in a much safer workplace for members.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Health and Safety Award – Local to John Wardell, President of Local 329

Leah Casselman Award – Local

Recipient: Local 128 – Sarnia Jail

After a two and half year battle fought by Local 128 members to save the Sarnia Jail it was announced in August 2014 by the minister that the Sarnia Jail would remain open. The members found out about the closure in March 2011 when a press release by the McGuinty government stated that Sarnia, Owen Sound and Walkerton jail closures would help Ontarians save nearly 1.5 billion over three years. Using the media to fight the closure, Local 128 got word out that this correctional facility was NOT underused but was in fact packed to the doors. Correctional officers involved in the Campaign to Save the Sarnia Jail were fired and Local President David Esser continues to fight for his job through the grievance procedure.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Leah Casselman Award – Local to David Esser, President of Local 128

The Convention recessed at 4:39 p.m.

Recess

Friday, May 9, 2014 – Morning Session

President Thomas called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.

Presentation – New OPSEU Website

An overview of the new OPSEU website was presented to Convention.

OPSEU Video Award

The winning OPSEU Video Award, by Paul Marut, Local 669, was presented to the Convention.

Constitutional Amendment A.6, Article 29, C.6, Section H

Submitted by: Executive Board
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Moved: B. Bélanger, Const.Ctte., L.420, /Seconded: P. Verhelst, Const.Ctte., L.605

Amend Article 29.8.2 as follows: (changes in bold)

The quorum for meetings of the above groups shall be:

Size of Group — Quorum

1-20 members — 25 percent of the members

21-200 members — 5 members

201 or more members — 3 percent of the members

Moved: V. Vaillancourt, L.608 /Seconded: D. Vadnais, L.608

Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Constitution Committee with instructions to change Quorum numbers to 25 percent of the members, 10 members and 4 percent of the members.

A motion was proposed and was ruled out of order.

Another motion was proposed and was ruled out of order.

Moved: F. Zroback, L.712/Seconded: E. Evens, L.703
Closure on Referral to Constit. Amendment, A.6, Article 29, C6 – CARRIED

Vote on Referral of Constit. Amendment, A.6, Article 29, C6 – DEFEATED

Credentials Committee Report

Moved: T. Young, Cred.Ctte., L.305/Seconded: T. Morris, Cred.Ctte., L.714
Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of: 9:00 a.m.

Delegates – 932
Alternates – 491
Observers – 187
Retirees – 7
EBMs – 19
Committees – 44
– 11
Guests – 9
Total – 1,700

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report  – CARRIED

Constitutional Amendment A.6, Article 29, C.6, Section H

Submitted by: Executive Board
Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT

Amend Article 29.8.2 as follows: (changes in bold)

The quorum for meetings of the above groups shall be:

Size of Group — Quorum

1-20 members — 25 percent of the members

21-200 members — 5 members

201 or more members — 3 percent of the members

Moved: J. Billard, L.598/Seconded: L. Sutton, L.581

Closure
President Thomas reminded the delegates that 2/3 must vote in favour to carry.
Closure on Constit. Amendment, A.6, Article 29, C.6 – CARRIED

Doors tiled.
A standing vote count was taken.

Total Votes 862 (2/3 is 575)
Vote in favour 503
Vote against 359

Vote on Constit. Amendment, A.6, Article 29, C.6 – DEFEATED

Doors untiled

Resolutions Committee
C1 – Collective Bargaining – Section G

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: NO RECOMMENDATION

Moved: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ontario Public Service (OPS) Negotiations Procedures be approved and submitted to Convention.

Moved: J. Puckalo, L.468/Seconded: F. Pryor, L.468

Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to change as follows:

WHEREAS article 3.3.3 is confusing as proposed with different interpretations;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article 3.3.3 to read – Quorum for Local Demand Setting meetings shall be as specified in Article 29.8.2 of the OPSEU Constitution based on the numbers of OPS members in the local. No quorum is required for the category meeting described in Article 3.3.5. “Lack of quorum does not preclude holding delegate and alternate elections”.

Vote on Referral of C1 – OPS Bargaining Procedures – Lack of quorum – CARRIED

The Committee met on the referral and accepts the amendment and debate continues.

Moved: R. Sawyer, L.527/Seconded: H. Thurairasah, L.502

Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to add to Article 4.3.1 “discuss” before strategy.

Vote on Referral of C1 – OPS Bargaining Procedures – discuss – CARRIED

The Committee met on the referral and accepts the amendment and debate continues.

Moved: E. Strachan, EBM, L.506/Seconded: N. Martin, L.546

Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to add to Article 2.5.2 d) “Two” before Executive.

Vote on Referral of C1 – OPS Bargaining Procedures – Two – DEFEATED

Moved: T. Elphick L.225/Seconded: C. Bernard, L.224

Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to replace “must support” with “shall respect” in Article 6.4 and remove last sentence.

Moved: O. Obagi, L.446/Seconded: E. Labaky, L.405
Closure on Referral of Resolution C1 – CARRIED

Vote on Referral of C1 – OPS Bargaining Procedures – shall respect – DEFEATED

Vote on C1 – OPS Bargaining Procedures as Amended – CARRIED

Moved: R. Lepage, L.329/Seconded: J. Wardell, L.329
Reconsideration Motion
Motion to reconsider Constitution Amendment A.2, Article 29, C.5.

Vote to Reconsider Constit. Amendment A2, Article 29 – DEFEATED

Resolutions Committee
EB1 – Executive Board – Section G

Submitted by: Executive Board
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308/Seconded: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Convention 2014 delegation endorses the following 17 resolutions, which represent OPSEUs Action Plan on public policy:

Income Inequality

1. Growing Income Inequality and a Fairness Test for the Provincial Budget

WHEREAS income inequality has been on the rise in Canada since the 1980s; and

WHEREAS from 1987 to 2007, 32 per cent of the income gains in Canada went to the richest one per cent; and

WHEREAS the average income of Canada’s Top 100 CEOs was 171 times that of the average full-time, full-year worker in Canada; and

WHEREAS income inequality has been associated with reduced trust in public institutions; lower social status for women; higher rates of mental illness, obesity, homicide, teen pregnancy, and infant mortality; poorer educational outcomes; shorter life expectancy; reduced social mobility; and slower economic growth;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU continue to call on the provincial government to develop and fund a process to measure the overall impact on income inequality of every Ontario budget; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this “Fairness Test” be subject to oversight by Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the results of the Fairness Test be published each year and announced by the Minister of Finance in the annual Budget Speech.

Public Services and Privatization

2. Underfunding of Public Services

WHEREAS Ontario has the lowest program spending per capita of any province in Canada; and

WHEREAS this underfunding has resulted in budget deficits; widespread cuts to the public services Ontarians depend on; attacks on labour rights; layoffs and wage cuts for public employees; and calls for privatization of public services; and

WHEREAS this underfunding is tied to reductions in provincial government revenues as a result of tax cuts since 1995; and

WHEREAS these tax cuts remove more than $18 billion a year from provincial revenues;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU continue to educate members and the public about the underfunding of Ontario’s public services and continue to call for tax fairness measures that will restore funding to a level that meets the needs of the province and its people.

3. Privatization Test

WHEREAS the privatization of public services has been touted as a way to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the quality of services the public receives; and

WHEREAS this theory is contradicted by the facts revealed by two decades of real-world experience with privatization in Ontario;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU work with the labour movement and other allies to demand that all proposals for the privatization of any public service be subject to a “Privatization Test” to determine, through an open and transparent process, whether the proposed privatization is likely to provide better quality of service and better value for money to the people of Ontario; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Privatization Test take place before any irrevocable actions are taken to privatize any public entity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the government declare a moratorium on further privatization until such time as a Privatization Test is in operation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer be given both the responsibility and the resources required to oversee the administration of the Privatization Test;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Financial Accountability Officer report periodically to the legislature on the results of the Privatization Test.

4. Social Impact Bonds and the Privatization of Health and Social Services

WHEREAS the Harper federal government has been a cheerleader for Social Impact Bonds (SIBs), encouraging provincial governments to pursue these new financial tools; and

WHEREAS the Ontario and Alberta governments now have organizations ready to facilitate and promote the growth of SIB pilots (Finance for Good [Alberta] and MaRS Centre for Impact Investing [Ontario]; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Minister of Economic Trade and Development , Eric Hoskins, has indicated that the government will pilot two Social Impact Bond projects in health and social services in 2014; and

WHEREAS Social Impact Bonds are a new financial tool designed to facilitate the privatization of social services, to radically transform service delivery, and ultimately return to a private charity model of social service delivery; and

WHEREAS the privatization of social services would produce large scale job losses in the public sector, labour instability and precarious employment;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will strongly oppose the promotion and development of Social Impact Bonds; and will produce an information package to explain what SIBs are and empower the leadership of the union to support future mobilizing on this critical issue; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the union continue to fight for the maximum possible direct public funding for the health and social services that so many Ontarians and their families depend on.

5. Active Repatriation of Privatized Public Services

WHEREAS when it comes to value for money, no government policy of the last 20 years has a worse track record than privatization; and

WHEREAS privatization has been implicated in fatalities and illness in cases as diverse as the Walkerton water tragedy, the Sunrise Propane explosion, and the privatization of highway maintenance; and

WHEREAS privatization has cost, and is costing, the public more through the privatization of highway maintenance, IT, air ambulance, and medical laboratory services, the leasing of Highway 407, private-public partnerships in health care, the sale of Teranet, private electricity generation, and the proliferation of LCBO agency stores; and

WHEREAS experiments like the privatization of provincial meat inspection and the Penetanguishene superjail did not succeed according to the government’s own analysis and resulted in the services being returned to public operation; and

WHEREAS most examples of privatization avoid public scrutiny altogether;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU work, through public education, campaigning, and lobbying, to bring privatized public services back into the public sector.

6. Contractors on the Sunshine List

WHEREAS countries around the world have seen a dramatic increase in corporate influence and control over democratic governments in the last four decades; and

WHEREAS this increased influence has led to the transfer of more and more public dollars to the private sector; and

WHEREAS in Ontario the percentage of provincial program spending going directly to the private sector rose from 28 per cent in 1997 to 38 per cent in 2010; and

WHEREAS the people of Ontario would be well served by measures designed to reveal the true nature of government today, and the private sector’s role in it;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU continue to call on the provincial government to amend the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act so that all companies or individuals providing services or financing to the government or its agencies, including municipalities, be required to disclose, annually, the names, positions, salaries and total taxable benefits of employees paid $100,000 or more in a calendar year.

7. Pharmacare

WHEREAS Canada is the only developed democracy with a universal health insurance system that does not include full coverage for necessary prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS prescription drug costs are higher in Canada than in any other developed democracy except the United States; and

WHEREAS an estimated 10 per cent of hospital emergency room visits in Ontario are the result of people not being able to afford their prescriptions; and

WHEREAS a public Pharmacare program based on bulk purchasing, increased use of generic drugs, better regulation, and the lower administrative costs available under a public system would mean Ontarians pay billions of dollars less for prescription drugs compared to the current system; and

WHEREAS a Pharmacare program would ensure access to prescription drugs based on need, not personal wealth; and

WHEREAS in a 2013 poll, 78 per cent of Canadians said they would support a universal drug plan to ensure that all Canadians are covered for necessary prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS in 2012, the Drummond Commission estimated that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union would increase prescription drug costs for Ontarians by $1.2 billion a year; and

WHEREAS prescription drug costs are a major issue in bargaining between OPSEU and employers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will actively support efforts to adopt a universal Pharmacare program in Ontario and in Canada.

Pensions

8. Ontario Pension Plan

WHEREAS many Ontarians do not belong to a pension plan of any kind other than the Canada Pension Plan (CPP); and

WHEREAS this group includes many OPSEU members; and

WHEREAS it is the union’s goal to have every working person in Ontario covered by a fully-funded defined-benefit pension plan that allows them to retire with dignity after a lifetime in the workforce; and

WHEREAS the union supports expansion of the CPP; and

WHEREAS the Government of Canada under Stephen Harper has refused to expand the CPP; and

WHEREAS a provincial pension plan covering all workers in Ontario has been proposed; and

WHEREAS OPSEU, with more than four decades of experience advocating for and managing defined benefit pension plans, can be an influential voice in the public debate around pensions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU support measures to extend defined benefit pension coverage to all Ontarians, and all Canadians, regardless of where they work, provided that said measures do not undermine the financial health of existing defined benefit plans in the private or public sectors.

Tax Fairness

9. Tax Fairness

WHEREAS Canadians benefit from public services in all aspects of their daily lives; and

WHEREAS public services contribute to our standard of living, reduce income inequality and enable us to participate in the economic and social life of our communities; and

WHEREAS despite occasional minor tax increases in the last 10 years, the Ontario treasury still loses more than $17 billion a year in revenues as a result of tax changes introduced by successive governments since 1995; and

WHEREAS while the benefits of tax cuts have gone mainly to profitable corporations and people with high incomes, the effects of cutting public services hit lower- and middle-income Canadians hardest;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU educate its members and community partners about the Ontario tax system, including how it compares to other provinces and how it compares to past years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU work with other unions and allies to promote tax fairness through higher taxes on wealthy individuals and profitable corporations.

10. “Unemployed Money”

WHEREAS Canadian non-financial corporations are currently sitting on $626 billion in cash which they are not investing; and

WHEREAS the problem is so obvious that even former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and former federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty have called on Canada’s corporations to start investing this “dead money”; and

WHEREAS this money is not dead, but merely unemployed; and

WHEREAS this money could be productively employed to tackle pressing problems like youth unemployment, the waiting list for affordable housing, the lack of a national affordable child care program, the underfunding of vital public services, and so on;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU campaign enthusiastically to find work for “unemployed money” through the introduction of a Corporate Cashback equal to two per cent of the average total amount of unemployed money held by Canadian corporations in a year, with the proceeds to be spent on reducing unemployment, especially among young workers, through investments in affordable housing, child care, and public services.

11. Financial Transactions Tax

WHEREAS the $626 billion in unemployed money held by Canadian corporations does not include financial institutions; and

WHEREAS Canada’s six largest banks made profits of over $30 billion last year; and

WHEREAS both the banking industry and Canada’s principal stock exchange are based in Ontario; and

WHEREAS much of the trading on the world’s stock exchanges is speculative trading that creates profits for traders but jobs for no one; and

WHEREAS there is no shortage of pressing problems that government needs to address, from child poverty to climate change; and

WHEREAS a 0.1 per cent Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) on trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange would scarcely be noticed by traders but would still generate $1 billion in revenue for government; and

WHEREAS OPSEU has already participated in the international campaign to promote the idea of the FTT, also known as the “Robin Hood Tax”; and

WHEREAS France and Germany have set a deadline of May 25, 2014 to reach agreement on a Financial Transactions Tax that will be applied in 11 countries of the European Union;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU reaffirm its support for a Financial Transactions Tax levied by either the provincial or federal government.

12. The Ontario Corporate Income Tax rate

WHEREAS over the past decade, governments at both the federal and provincial levels in Canada have implemented corporate income tax cuts because, they claimed, these cuts would stimulate business investment and create jobs; and

WHEREAS falling corporate income tax rates have been accompanied by falling, not rising, business investment; and

WHEREAS the Liberal government’s reduction in the Corporate Income Tax rate in Ontario from 14 per cent in 2009 to 11.5 per cent today is costing provincial coffers at least $1.5 billion a year; and

WHEREAS that is money that is not available to fund public services, build infrastructure, or reduced government debt;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU call for the Corporate Income Tax rate to be returned to its 2009 level of 14 per cent.

13. Ontario Personal Income Tax rate

WHEREAS the tax cuts that began with the election of the Mike Harris government in 1995 are currently reducing provincial government revenues by $17 billion a year; and

WHEREAS of that $17 billion, more than $11 billion is missing as a result of cuts to the Personal Income Tax (PIT) rate under Harris, even after the Ontario Health Premium is included in PIT revenues; and

WHEREAS the majority of that $11 billion has gone to higher-income individuals; and

WHEREAS quality public services and the jobs, wages, and working conditions of OPSEU members depend on healthy public finances;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU support reasonable and progressive increases to the Personal Income Tax rate for all Ontarians whose individual taxable income exceeds $100,000.

Jobs

14. The Economy: A Modern Industrial Strategy

WHEREAS over the last several decades our federal and provincial governments have abandoned a proactive industrial strategy in favour of a hands-off approach built around weakened labour and environmental protections, bad free trade deals, privatization, cuts to public services, tax cuts for corporations and wealthy Canadians, and other harmful policies; and

WHEREAS governments’ hands-off approach has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of good jobs, particularly in the manufacturing sector and particularly in Ontario; and

WHEREAS this problem has been made worse by the Bank of Canada’s refusal, until recently, to use monetary policy to protect jobs in export-oriented sectors, resulting in the closure of many businesses and manufacturing facilities that will never re-open; and

WHEREAS the policies listed above have boosted profits for corporations but undermined wages and working conditions for the vast majority of working people;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU work with other unions and allies to raise awareness of the need for a modern industrial strategy that will create good jobs, protect our environment, enhance social justice, and put the long-term interests of Ontario and Canada ahead of the short-term interests of large corporations.

15. The Economy: A Wage-Led Recovery

WHEREAS Canadian corporations are currently sitting on $626 billion in cash that they are not investing; and

WHEREAS the main reason they are not investing is that their potential customers have experienced three decades of falling or stagnant wages and household debt is at record levels; and

WHEREAS consumer spending depends on the wages workers earn;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU be an active champion for a wage-led economic recovery in Ontario through support for labour laws designed to make union organizing and collective bargaining more successful; stronger employment standards, including the immediate implementation of a $14-an-hour minimum wage; and increased public investment in services and infrastructure.

Workers’ Rights

16. Labour Law

WHEREAS strong, democratic unions are associated with better wages, benefits, and pensions for working people, safer workplaces, and fair treatment for working people;

WHEREAS Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC party have published white papers, tabled private member’s bills, and made public statements indicating their desire to bring in major changes to Ontario labour laws;

WHEREAS these changes are designed to weaken unions, drive down wages, and attack pension plans as a means to boost corporate profits;

WHEREAS Tim Hudak’s announcement that his party would not change the Rand formula may turn out to be a lie;

WHEREAS there are many other ways a PC government could undermine unions and working people;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU continue to oppose, in every possible arena, the regressive changes to Ontario’s labour laws that have been or will be proposed by the Ontario PC party or any other party, and that OPSEU continue to promote changes to labour law that are designed to make union organizing and collective bargaining more successful and to provide more Ontario working people with the benefits of union representation.

Participation In Elections

17. Voter turnout by OPSEU members

WHEREAS voter turnout in provincial elections has been falling steadily for some time;

WHEREAS fewer than half of all eligible voters actually voted in the 2011 Ontario general election;

WHEREAS Ontarians represented by OPSEU are close to 1.5 per cent of eligible voters in this province;

WHEREAS the outcome of the next provincial election could have a dramatic impact on the well-being of OPSEU members;

WHEREAS if every voter represented by OPSEU voted but only half of the other eligible voters in Ontario voted, as was the case in 2011, then OPSEU voters would represent close to three per cent of all voters;

WHEREAS that is a significant number;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU and its locals aim for 100 per cent voter turnout among bargaining unit members in the upcoming provincial election and all subsequent general elections;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all OPSEU locals commit to establishing a Local Political Action Committee charged with accomplishing the union’s three goals in the upcoming election: communicating with members about the issues; supporting progressive candidates; and achieving 100 per cent voter turnout among bargaining unit members;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU support the Local Political Action Committees with materials and other resources, including leadership from Area Councils and Executive Board Members.

Moved: D. Fasciano, L.673/Seconded: O. Shaba, L.653
Motion to Divide
Motion to divide Resolution EB1 into 17 individual items.

Moved by: J. Wilson, L.415
Objection to Consideration
Objects to consideration of the motion to divide Resolution EB1 into 17 individual items.

President Thomas explained that an objection to consideration motion does not require a seconder and is not debatable and that if a third of the assembly wants to have this motion considered then we will consider it.

Vote on Objection to Consideration – to divide Resolution EB1 into 17 items – WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

Moved: J. Billard, L.598/Seconded: A. Collins, L.598
Closure on Resolution EB1 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution EB1 – Executive Board – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
F2 – Affiliation – Section G

Submitted by: The Greater Toronto Area Council, Local 568, Local 503 and Local 522
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: AGAINST

Moved: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617/Seconded: K. Clark, Res. Ctte., L.212

WHEREAS Ontario workers and unions in all sectors are facing austerity attacks by business, all levels of government and the corporate media; and

WHEREAS the Hudak Conservatives are now threatening to take union-busting in Canada to a new level by introducing US-style “right to work” legislation and proposing to eliminate defined-benefit pensions in the public sector; and

WHEREAS effective resistance to these attacks – on our jobs, our collective agreements and the public services we deliver and our unions – requires OPSEU and ALL our labour allies to build greater solidarity; and

WHEREAS the OFL is the largest labour body in Ontario with 54 affiliated unions representing one million workers; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) is the central nucleus for Ontario unions to network, research, share information, strategize and implement campaigns in the interests of our member and the 99%; and

WHEREAS the appropriate place for OPSEU to address issues regarding the OFL’s Constitution, leadership, governance practices and policies is within the OFL; and

WHEREAS withdrawal from participation in the OFL weakens our ability to rally the full support of Ontario’s labour movement to help defend OPSEU members’ jobs and the public services we deliver;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU enter into discussions with the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) by the end of May 2014 to re-establish good standing and full affiliation with our intention to:

• return to full participation in the OFL and its Board, committees and activities and work with the OFL and its affiliates
• strive to build a unlimited campaign to fight back against the austerity agenda and attacks on labour rights.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU return to making regular per-capita dues payments to the OFL.

Solidarity Guests

Name	Organization
Michael Mahar,Director	Amalgamated Transit Union, Canadian Council
Catherine Bowman, President	ASU
Bill Gillespie	Canadian Media Guild
John Cartwright, President	Labour Council of Metro Toronto and York Region
Stephen Roznowsky, 1st Vice President	Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union
Jim Downs, Managing Director	MKD International
Chief Abram Benedict	Mohawk Government
Gilda Cobb-Hunter	South Carolina State Congresswoman
Cameron Walker. President	Ontario Public Service Staff Union
Aimee Axler, 1st Vice-President	Ontario Public Service Staff Union
Ken Coran, President	Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
Bill Kuehnbaum	OPSEU
Patricia Rout	OPSEU
Sean McKenny	Ottawa District Labour Council
Patrick Dillon, Business Manager	Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario
Bob Bymoen, President	Saskatchewan Government Employees Union
Richard Perron, President	Syndicat de professionalles et professionnels du gouvernement du Quebec (SPGQ)
Gordon Wilson	Past President – OFL
Isla Carmichael	OPSEU Pension Trust
Larry Brown	National Secretary – Treasurer, NUPGE

Resolutions Committee
F2 – Affiliation – Section G

Submitted by: The Greater Toronto Area Council, Local 568, Local 503 and Local 522
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: AGAINST

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU enter into discussions with the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) by the end of May 2014 to re-establish good standing and full affiliation with our intention to:

• return to full participation in the OFL and its Board, committees and activities and work with the OFL and its affiliates
• strive to build a unlimited campaign to fight back against the austerity agenda and attacks on labour rights

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU return to making regular per-capita dues payments to the OFL.

Moved: M. Menard, L.458/Seconded: D. Abel, L.456
Closure on Resolution F2 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution F2 – Affiliation  – DEFEATED

Resolutions Committee
L1 – Lobby/Campaign – Section G

Submitted by: Retired Members’ Division
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617/Seconded: K. Clark, Res. Ctte., L.212

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU through National Union Action on Retirees Concerns (NUARC) lobby the federal government to act on the recommendation of the Mental Health Commission and provide the necessary funding to the province to implement the recommendations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU:

• lobby the Provincial Government to restore, enhance and expand health care services, both facility and community-based, for people living with mental health and addiction problems: and
• inform the public about the crisis of people with mental health and addiction problems in Canada’s justice system, with emphasis on provincial jurisdictions: and
• lobby Provincial Government to take immediate steps to provide alternative services for offenders with mental health and serious addiction problems or where this is not possible, increase programs and supports for these problems; and
• educate its members and the public about mental health and addiction problems with the goal of eliminating the stigma against people with these problems; and
• with its affiliates and members, bargain for increased support for members who are experiencing mental health or addiction problems.

Moved: P. Beaumont, L.309/Seconded: J. Nealon, L.309
Closure on Resolution L1 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution L1 – CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Lunch  Recess

Friday, May 9, 2014 – Afternoon Session

President Thomas called the Convention to order at 1:38 p.m.

Award Presentation

Stanley Knowles Award

Recipient: Tom Cochrane

Harry McMurtry, a long-time friend of OPSEU, introduced this year’s Stanley Knowles Awardee Tom Cochrane. Best known for his hit “Life is a Highway” Canadian icon, Tom Cochrane has won eight Junos and is a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and is an officer of the Order of Canada. Tom has supported a wide range of worthy causes throughout his career including travelling to Africa eight times on behalf of World Vision. He was the driving force of the “Canada for Asia” benefit concert and has entertained troops in Afghanistan.

Credentials Committee Report

Moved: A. Marinucci, Cred.Ctte., L.549 /Seconded: T. Young, Cred.Ctte., L.305
Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of: 12:00 p.m.

Delegates – 935
Alternates – 494
Observers – 195
Retirees – 7
EBMs – 20
Committees – 45
Solidarity Guests – 13
Guests – 9
Total – 1,718

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report – CARRIED

Moment of Silence

A Minute of Silence was observed in memory of the two men that lost their lives in the Lockerby Mine accident on May 6, 2014 in Sudbury.

Resolutions Committee
E2 – Executive Board – Section G

Submitted by: Local 532
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: K. Clark, Res. Ctte., L.212/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS the postal service is an integral part of society and an invaluable public service which has existed for well over a century; and

WHEREAS members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have been at the forefront of labour victories, including the right to strike for public sector workers, decent wages and maternity leave and deserve the support of the entire labour movement; and

WHEREAS the attack on the postal services aimed at eliminating door-to- door mall delivery is a feature of austerity and is aimed at breaking up and selling off profitable public enterprises to private sector interests.

WHEREAS an injury to one is an injury to all; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU actively educate its members on the perils of the end of door-to-door delivery and actively urge its members to lobby their local Members of Parliament (MP’s), voice sharp disapproval of this attack on postal services and the public sector and organize and attend local demonstrations, rallies and other protest events in support of postal workers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU demand that the labour-based New Democratic Party be more vocal and participative in its opposition to all forms of privatization and corporate attacks on the public sector, and that OPSEU support campaigns and actions to defeat the attack on postal services.

Moved: C. Kelsey, L.416/Seconded: J. Hanson, L.416
Closure on Resolution E2 – CARRIED

Vote on Resolution E2 – Executive Board – CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Resolutions Committee
P3 – Pensions – Section G

Submitted by: Local 527
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: AGAINST

Moved: K. Clark, Res. Ctte., L.212/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS the Ontario government employer has announced major reductions to public service retiree benefits; and

WHEREAS future OPSEU Pension Trust (OPTrust) retirees came to their public service positions via competitive job interview and;

1. gave up other opportunities to work in the public service
2. care about and provide expert public services
3. were informed they could work in the public service ten years to earn full benefits upon retiring
4. have sacrificed wage increases and accepted wage freezes over the years on the understanding they will enjoy a decent pension plan with full benefits

WHEREAS the average OPSEU Pension Trust pension is $20,000.00 combined with Canada Pension Plan payout of $7,000.00 meaning the average OPT retiree earns $27,000.00 a year before deductions and is now facing a health premium for benefits of $1,500.00 a year per family or a 5.5 per cent pension cut for a family; and

WHEREAS the OPTrust retirees really need their benefits;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will work with our Ontario government with the goal to convince the employer to restore public service retiree benefits, increase the transition period or grand-parent full benefits for existing employees or at least reduce the impact of retiree benefit changes and reductions the Ontario government announced in February, 2014.

Vote on Resolution P3 – DEFEATED

Resolutions Committee
L16 – Lobby/Campaign – Section G

Submitted by: Local 568, Greater Toronto Area Council and Local 552
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: K. Clark, Res. Ctte., L.212/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS 2013 OPSEU Convention passed a resolution calling a for province wide campaign to defend the Rand Formula and defeat the Hudak Conservative’s plan to introduce US–style anti-union legislation; and

WHEREAS the attack on our unions is a key part of the Tory agenda to turn Ontario into a low wage economy; continue cutting public services; further reduce taxes for corporations and the rich , and increase the wealth of the 1 per cent at the expense of the working people and our communities; and

WHEREAS the attack on our union workers’ rights, quality public services, public sector pension plans and good jobs is central to the Tory’s election platform and their plan for government if they are elected; and

WHEREAS the Liberal government remains committed to further cuts to public services, extended wage freezes and other concessions for OPSEU members and other public sector workers; and other austerity measures that will harm workers and our communities; and

WHEREAS OPSEU has distributed the video “Made in USA” Tim Hudak’s Plan to Cut Your Wages” to thousands of OPSEU members and organized Political Action Conferences in all seven OPSEU regions; and

WHEREAS we must continue to educate members on the value of our unions, engage them in our locals and mobilize them to defend our jobs and our unions if we are going to defeat both the Hudak attack and the broader austerity agenda before, during and after the next provincial election; and

WHEREAS this kind of internal organizing campaign is central to the CLC’s Together Fairness Works campaign and its strategy for defending and strengthening unions in Canada; and

WHEREAS internal organizing that re-engages our members will strengthen our ability to bargain better contracts and fight for the quality public services our communities need;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU develop and implement a six-month province wide campaign to defend workers’ rights, our members and our union including assigning dedicated Campaigns staff and member mobilizers in each region and developing communications and mobilizing resources to reach every OPSEU member; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the campaign focus on supporting regional and local efforts to educate members on the importance of our union, engage them in their locals, and mobilize them to take action to stop the Hudak attack and continuing government austerity and to defend members’ jobs, our collective agreements and the public services we provide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU allocate up to $600,000.00 to fund this campaign.

Moved: B. Sharp, L.127/Seconded: D. Wakely, L.277
Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee to remove the last Resolve.

Moved: J. Billard, L.598/Seconded: A. Collins, L.598
Closure on Referral of Resolution L16 – CARRIED

Vote on Referral of L16 – remove the last Resolve –  CARRIED

The Committee met on the referral and returned with the motion as amended.

Moved: J. Watson, L.701/Seconded: S. Snider, L.736
Closure on Resolution L16 as amended – CARRIED

Vote on L16 – Lobby/Campaign as Amended – CARRIED UNANIMIOUSLY

Eduardo Almeida, First Vice President/Treasurer in Chair.

Resolutions Committee
N1 – Organizing– Section G

Submitted by: Local 245
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: G. Franche, Res. Ctte., L.130/Seconded: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731

WHEREAS OPSEU has attempted to organize college part-time workers, which to date has failed and there are close to 20,000 non-organized workers in the college sector;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU continue to organize college part-time workers using other methods, such as local-by-local and focus on support staff and academic staff at times when a successful campaign can be achieved.

Moved: J. Billard, L.598/Seconded: A. Collins, L.598
Closure on Resolution N1 – CARRIED

Vote on N1 – Organizing – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
K3 – Equity – Section G

Submitted by: London & District Area Council and Local 112
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: G. Franche, Res. Ctte., L.130/Seconded: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731

WHEREAS the Ontario government process through which seniors qualify to get their driver’s licences renewed is a sham; and

WHEREAS as one of the tests is to determine Dementia; and

WHEREAS the proposed test has been discredited; and

WHEREAS the cost is to be borne by the elderly driver;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU make every effort to have a Dementia test removed from the driver licence renewal process including, if necessary, filing an age discrimination complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal on behalf of OPSEU Retirees.

President Thomas resumed the chair.

Moved: G. Murray, L.706/Seconded: C. Goodman, L.706
Closure
President Thomas reminded the delegates that 2/3 must vote in favour to carry.
Closure on Resolution K3 – CARRIED

Vote on K3 – Equity – DEFEATED

Resolutions Committee
L15 – Lobby/Campaign – Section G

Submitted by: Local 607, Local 112, London & District Area Council and Thunder Bay District Labour Council
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: G. Franche, Res. Ctte., L.130/Seconded: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731

WHEREAS the minimum wage increase to $11.00 per hour still leaves minimum wage workers 15 per cent below the poverty line and the raise to $14.00 per hour would bring these workers to 10 per cent above the poverty line; and

WHEREAS women are over-represented in minimum wage work and often have to work more than one job to be able to provide for their families; and

WHEREAS 10 per cent of minimum wage earners are union members; and

WHEREAS minimum wage earners spend their income in their local communities; and

WHEREAS OPSEU has endorsed the campaign to raise the minimum wage in Ontario to $14.00 per hour and has actively participated in actions throughout the province to support this campaign;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU lobby the Ontario government to demand that minimum wage be raised to $14.00 per hour and then indexed to reflect the annual rate of inflation and cost of living.

Moved: T. Elphick, L.225/Seconded: L. Scott, L.223
Closure on Resolution L15 – CARRIED

Vote on L15 – Lobby/Campaign – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
L10 – Lobby/Campaign – Section G

Submitted by: Local 532
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

WHEREAS labour unions are the most effective organizations in the world working towards a more egalitarian society, the well-being of working people and the public good; and

WHEREAS appropriate spending of money raised through taxes is a vital means of achieving the aims of a socially just society; and

WHEREAS taxes raised through graduated income taxes and corporate taxes on profits are the fairest and most equitable means of raising tax revenues, and shifts away from these two forms of taxation results in greater inequalities; and

WHEREAS corporate tax rates have been dropping in many countries throughout the world as global corporations play countries against each other and shift their profits to countries with low tax rates, to the extent that corporate tax rates are sometimes less than half what they were 40 or more years ago; and

WHEREAS partly because of reduced revenues from corporate taxes, health, education and social programs have been compromised, due to lack of sufficient government resources;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU work with other unions and like-minded organizations to develop and promote the concept of a Global Minimum Corporate Tax of at least 30 per cent of profits for large multinational corporations and their subsidiaries (the 30 per cent includes taxes from both the two senior levels of government).

Moved: C. Wojcik, L.415/Seconded: S. Pentecost, L.415
Closure on Resolution F1 – CARRIED

Vote on L10 – Lobby/Campaign – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
J3 – Expenses – Section G

Submitted by:  Orillia District Labour Council and Greater Toronto Labour Council
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation:  FOR

Moved: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

WHEREAS the Hardship Fund has been established to provide assistance for OPSEU members who are experiencing an immediate, severe and temporary financial situation due to an emergency (eg. provide a grant to prevent a member from being evicted or having their heat or hydro cut off); and

WHEREAS the Regions Hardship Committees do not get funding for retirees ($1.00 per member in good standing); and

WHEREAS members of the OPSEU Retirees Division are members of OPSEU; and

WHEREAS many OPSEU retirees have no pension or a limited pension;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPSEU policy be revised so Regional hardship committees get funding for retired members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT members of the OPSEU Retirees Division be eligible to apply to receive hardship grants.

Vote on J3 – Expenses – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
I1 – World Issues – Section G

Submitted by: Thunder Bay District Area Council, Provincial Human Rights Committee. Provincial Women’s Committee, Greater Toronto Area Council, Local 154, London & District Area Council and Provincial Francophone Committee

Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Belleau, Res. Ctte., L.731/Seconded: D. Wright, Res. Ctte., L.557

WHEREAS OPSEU supports First Nations, Native Peoples, Métis, Inuit and all other Aboriginal members to participate in trade union education sponsored by human rights organizations; and

WHEREAS OPSEU supports the need to increase the of level First Nations, Native Peoples, Métis, Inuit and all Aboriginal member’ participation; and

WHEREAS OPSEU recognizes that globalization links us all in the struggle for workers’ rights worldwide; and

WHEREAS OPSEU supports working with other union and organizations in the fight against the pressure to privatize public services in North America, Columbia and the Global South;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU support international Indigenous Solidarity with OPSEU Aboriginal members.

Vote on I1 – World Issues – CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Guest Speaker – Andrea Horwath

Andrea Horwath Leader of Ontario’s New Democratic Party addressed the Convention on the issues of the June Provincial election.

The video “Time Hudak’s Plan B, still planning to cut your wages” was presented to Convention.

Eddy Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer in the chair.

The Central Political Action Committee (CPAC) provided an update to convention.

President Thomas resumes the chair.

Award Presentation

Human Rights Award – Individual

Recipient: Peter Thompson, Local 154

Peter has been involved in the labour movement for 22 years. He has worked on various committees/caucuses including: the first Regional Human Rights rep, Vice-Chair of the Provincial Human Rights Committee, MPAC bargaining team, Ministry of Finance Divestment/Transition team, Vice President Local 154, Unit Steward, Steward and is currently the Chair of the Workers of Colour Caucus.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Human Rights Award to Peter Thompson, Local 154.

Tim Brown Award

Recipient: Tsi Ion Kwa Nohn So:Te, Local 4102

Chief Brian David and President Thomas signed a voluntary recognition agreement in a special ceremony held on Akwesasne lands, allowing OPSEU to represent 65 workers at the facility. Tsi Ion Kwa Nohn So:Te are dedicated to improving the working conditions for themselves and improving public services for the elders they take care of in their long term care facility. They are the first Aboriginal community union local in Ontario.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Tim Brown Award to Darlene Delormier, Local 4102.

Rainford Jackson Education and Development Fund

Recipient: Jill O’Reilly, Ottawa Chapter of ACORN

As a very active community based organization, ACORN (Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now) is effective in working and achieving goals for its members on a small budget. Jill O’Reilly’s leadership has accomplished several goals this past year. These include: free tax clinic for low income and immigrant families, successful fundraiser campaign to raise minimum wage to $14, campaigned for $10/month high speed internet access program for low income or working poor and lobbied Ottawa City council to pass a bylaw to ensure landlords provide working appliances.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Rainford Jackson Education and Development Award to Jill O’Reilly, ACORN.

Timed Presentation – Equity Update

The Equity Committees Chair/Vice-Chairs, provided an update to Convention.

Timed Presentation – Social Mapping Project Update

Debbie Tungatt, Executive Board liaison to the Social Mapping Project, provided an update of the Social Mapping Project.

Donations

Staff collected donations in the amount of $7,300.76 from the floor.

Moved: M. Cory, EBM, L.714/Seconded: D. Tungatt, EBM, L.262
Motion on the floor
That the OPSEU board matches the donations.

Vote to match the collected donations – CARRIED

The Convention recessed at 4:52 p.m.

Recess

Saturday, May 10, 2014 – Morning Session

President Thomas called the Convention to order at 9:06 a.m.

Retired OPSEU Staff

Staff retired since last convention

Priscilla Rojas
Bridget Ikola
Mary Ellen Casey
Jean Fordyce
Marion Melville
Marilyn Youden
Anne Lee
Laurie McDougall
Rita Ashley
Timothy Little
Barbara Szczepanski
Cindy Cross
Louise Rose
Barbara Miller

Deceased OPSEU Staff

Retired Staff Member
Sarah Manoll

Honorary Life Membership

Recipients: Will Presley, Patty Rout, Michael Grimaldi

Will Presley

Will has used creativity and hard work to form the building blocks in the foundation of our union. He helped guide a number of training tools and publications for OPSEU. A member for 27 years, Will served on: the Ministry of Revenue MERC, three OPS wage teams, Constitution Committee, chair of the Resolution Committee, elected Region 6 EBM seven times and three terms as Region 6 RVP. He retired in 2007 as a Region 6 Grievance Officer.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Honourary Lifetime Member Award to Will Presley.

Credentials Committee Report

Moved: T. Young, Cred.Ctte.,L.305/Seconded: A. Marinucci, Cred.Ctte.,L.549
Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of 9:00 a.m.

Delegates – 937
Alternates – 496
Observers – 203
Retirees – 7
EBMs – 20
Committees – 46
Solidarity Guests – 20
Guests – 15
Total – 1,744

Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report – CARRIED

Honorary Life Membership

Recipients: Patty Rout, Will Presley, Michael Grimaldi

Patty Rout

Patty represented the members of Local 348 in grievances, labour management, Health and Safety and bargaining. Her activism in her local led to positions at the sector level and then as an OPSEU Executive Board member. Patty served as Chair of the Hospital Professionals Division from 2000 to 2007 and during that time assisted with the integration of the 2,100 Association of Allied Health Professionals members into OPSEU. Patty served as OPSEU’s 1st Vice-President/Treasurer from 2007 to 2011.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Honourary Lifetime Member Award to Patty Rout.

Michael Grimaldi

Mike has dedicated over 40 years to the labour movement. He has been a member of several different unions during that time. As an OPS member, Mike worked in the Office of the Worker Advisor where he did WSIB appeals for people who didn’t have unions. Mike was OPSEU President Leah Casselman’s Executive Assistant and then was elected to

the OPSEU Executive Board. His skills have been utilized in running numerous Federal and Provincial election campaigns for the NDP.

OPSEU is pleased to present the Honourary Lifetime Member Award to Mike Grimaldi.

Resolutions Committee
M5 – Membership Activities/Services – Section G

Submitted by: Provincial Francophone Committee, Provincial Human Rights Committee, Provincial Women’s Committee and Local 503
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: G. Franche, Res. Ctte., L.130/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS equity groups benefit from participation in conferences; and

WHEREAS they can be better equipped to defend their rights; and

WHEREAS they can educate the broader membership on equity matters;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will establish a Francophone conference every two years, the first to be held in Ottawa in June 2015.

Moved: C. Kelsey, L.416/Seconded: J. Hanson, L.416
Closure on Resolution M5 – CARRIED

Vote on M5 – Membership Activities/Services – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
L7 – Lobby/Campaign – Section G

Submitted by: Niagara Area Council and Retirees’ Division
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: G. Franche, Res. Ctte., L.130/Seconded: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308

WHEREAS a vehicle involved in a collision in Ontario, whether the driver is at fault or not, will have their vehicle repaired by their Auto Insurance; and

WHEREAS the value of that vehicle has now diminished by as much as 30 per cent whether the driver was at fault or not; and

WHEREAS currently the owner of that vehicle has now suffered a monetary loss that is not recoverable through Auto Insurance; and

WHEREAS in areas where legislation has been enacted to cover this loss, the increase in Auto Insurance has been negligible;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the President of OPSEU and OPSEU membership petition the Minister of Finance, Charles Sousa, to enact legislation that will make the “diminished value” recoverable through Auto Insurance.

Moved: S. Snider, L.736/Seconded: J. Watson, L.701

Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to remove the name of the Minister from the Resolve.

The Committee met on the referral and returned with the motion as amended and their recommendation is unchanged.

Moved: R. Papoff, L.557/Seconded: V. Samuels, L.557
Closure on Referral of Resolution L7 – CARRIED

Vote on Referral of L7 – remove Ministers name – CARRIED

Vote on L7 – Lobby/Campaign as Amended – CARRIED

Resolutions Committee
O2 – Politics – Section G

Submitted by: Retired Members’ Division
Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR

Moved: R. Barnes, Res. Ctte., L.308/Seconded: N. Aubin, Res. Ctte., L.617

WHEREAS the lack of good homecare is a growing concern to retirees; and

WHEREAS too many provincial governments are failing to expand service to meet the growing need and are often contracting out services to firms more interested in profit than people;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU at the national, provincial and municipal levels increase efforts to assure that homecare is accessible to people who need homecare.

Moved: M. Martin, L.557/Seconded: J. Healy, L.571
Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to add the word “public and” before accessible.

Moved: R. Lepage, L.329/Seconded: A. Mackie, L.329
Amendment to Referral Motion:
Refer back to the Resolution Committee with instructions to change “national” to “federal”.

Vote on Amendment of Referral of O2 – federal – CARRIED

Vote on Amended Referral of O2 – public and – CARRIED

The Committee met on the referral and returned with the motion as amended and their recommendation is FOR.

Moved: C. Kelsey, L.416/Seconded: S. Prieur, L.435
Closure on Resolution O2 – CARRIED

Vote on O2 – Politics as Amended – CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Regional Campaign Caucus Group Breakout

Delegates, Alternates and Observers held Regional Campaign Caucus meetings.

Regional Campaign Caucus

RVP’s provided a report to Convention on behalf of their region’s Political Action Campaign plans.

President Smokey Thomas declared Convention adjourned at 11:24 p.m.

President Thomas thanked everyone for a great Convention and bid them a safe trip home.

As per OPSEU policy, in the event there are resolutions outstanding from Convention, the Resolutions Committee shall be reconvened to make recommendations on the disposition of these; and the Chair of the Committee shall present these to the Executive Board for action at the second meeting of the Board following Convention.